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Abstract
Data on the seasonality and growth of the German wasp (Vespula germanica (F.)) collected before and after the establishment, in the Manawatu, of the common wasp (V. vulgaris (L.)) were compared to investigate possible antagonistic interactions between the two species. Additional comparisons of seasonality and growth were made between the two species and between habitat (rural versus urban) and nest‐site (ground versus building) categories within each species. There were no detectable differences in colony growth rate or nest size parameters in V. germanica before and after the arrival of V. vulgaris. This indicates either that, in the Manawatu, the two species do not compete, or that they do compete but without any measurable, differential effect on colony growth. Comparison of the two species indicated that both had similar rates of colony growth but V. vulgaris colonies were larger in January and February, presumably due to earlier initiation of nest building. V. germanica was first to begin producing drones, while V. vulgaris began building queen cells earlier. Urban V. germanica colonies were larger than those from rural habitats, but there was no difference between colonies built in the ground or in buildings. In contrast, V. vulgaris colonies in the ground were larger than those in buildings, but urban and rural colonies did not differ in size.
