The Invasive Vespidae in South Africa: Potential Management Strategies and Current Status

Abstract

Vespula germanica (Fabricius) and Polistes dominula (Christ) are known to represent a significant threat to the biodiversity of ecosystems that they invade. Following their discovery in South Africa, there has been a lag in investigations into the presence and spread of both invasive wasp species in South Africa with limited action taken to address their expansion. Recent research indicated that populations of both species are still restricted to the Western Cape Region, where the Cape Fold Mountain Belt seems to serve as a barrier to further spread to the rest of South Africa. The limited distribution range creates a favourable scenario for management efforts and, if acted on rapidly, increases the possibility of successful control. Various control methods, including mechanical, chemical and biological control have been developed and implemented internationally in an effort to curb population expansion of social wasps. These methods, together with a summary of the initiatives that have been launched locally to control these wasp species, are discussed in this review.