European wasp find prompts alert to Wheatbelt residents

A Dumbleyung farmer reported the find to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) after opening the package, which had been sourced from Victoria and collected from a commercial premise at Goomalling.

European wasp program manager John Van Schagen said while the wasps had been destroyed, DPIRD officers would set surveillance traps as a precaution in Goomalling and Dumbleyung during the summer trapping season.

“The European wasp is considered one of the worst wasps in the world - harmful to people, our outdoor lifestyles, the environment and to our horticultural and agricultural industries,” Mr Van Schagen said.

“This find highlights the ongoing risk of European wasp nests being seeded from queens which have been inadvertently brought in via freight and cargo from the Eastern States.

“We encourage the regional Western Australian community to be aware of the risk from European wasps and report any suspect finds to the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service.

“We commend this member of the public for quickly alerting us to this find. He also assisted with verification by sending photos and using a micrometre to measure the wing length of the wasps, helping identifying them as queens.”

Thanks to reports from the public, three European wasp nests have been found and destroyed near Hyden in recent years.

European wasps look similar to yellow paper wasps but are distinguished by their completely black antennae and shorter legs, which they tuck up under their body when they fly.

Wasps scavenging on pet food, meat, fish or dead animals is also a tell-tale sign.

Any suspected sightings of salvinia or other aquatic weeds can be made via the department’s MyPestGuide Reporter app® via the Apple Store or Google Play or by contacting the Pest and Disease Information service on 9368 3080 or mailto:padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.

Picture caption: European wasps look similar to yellow paper wasps but have black antennae and shorter legs, which they tuck up under their body when they fly. Scavenging on pet food, meat or fish is also a tell-tale sign.