Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand

Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database

Coastal hazard assessment and predicted shorelines

Author
Regulatory Management Committee
Year
2012
Journal / Source
Regulatory Management Committee
Keywords
Radumeris tasmaniensis, Scoliidae, yellow flower wasp, invasion, biosecurity, New Zealand
Summary
The yellow flower wasp (Radumeris tasmaniensis: Scoliidae) is a recent invasive species from eastern Australia or New Guinea. Its phenology here in New Zealand is poorly understood. A systematic series of transect counts took place in the open dune system at Butlers Creek (Waikoropupunoa Stream), Ninety Mile Beach, between 28 April 2004 and 14 May 2005. Wasps were most active in the mid-morning to early afternoon on the foredunes and backdunes. Wasps fed on gum (Eucalyptus spp.), manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), Australian coastal manuka (L. laevigatum), North Cape fivefinger (Pseudopanax "Surville"), fleabane (Conyza albida), toetoe (Cortaderia splendens) and pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) flowers in the adjacent garden and native shrublands. Male wasps rested on or near food sources after feeding. No wasps were detected within the pine forest which was adjacent to the inner dune and planted garden and shrubland areas. Incidental observations were obtained from the field within the Aupouri and Karikari Peninsula areas.