Possible pathogens of social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and their potential as biological control agents

Ecological effects and management of invasive alien Vespidae

“…Worker and larval Vespula were found to be susceptible to a range of fungal pathogens such as Metarhizium Sorokīn and Beauveria Vuill. (Glare et al 1996;Harris et al 2000;Rose et al 1999); however, to date no control has been developed.…”

Diversity of entomopathogenic fungi near leaf-cutting ant nests in a neotropical forest, with particular reference to Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae

“…There are, however, very few published surveys of the natural prevalence of social insect parasites. Such surveys in wasps (Foulliard and Morel, 1994;Rose et al, 1999), and termites (Milner et al, 1998;Ochiel et al, 1997), have on occasion revealed rich parasite communities to be associated with social insect colonies. The relative paucity of recorded parasites may therefore also be the result of a lack of investigation.…”

Correction of errors in two recent wasp‐related papers from Landcare Research Ltd.

“…I suggest that there could be co-operation with other countries where wasps have invaded, for the introduction of new biological control agents. Rose et al (1999) do not refer to Donovan (1996aDonovan ( , 1996b where I report that in 1991, the year before the old DSIR was dissolved, we imported S. v. burra, and that I had found that there are about a dozen other insects which seem to have good potential for importation to New Zealand. I also discuss a theoretical basis for the introduction of more biocontrol enemies of social insects, which, briefly, is that the presence of each enemy in a wasp nest would disturb the nest in a different way, so allowing other enemies to multiply more rapidly.…”