2660 days ago

Wasps!

Jacqui Knight from Monarch Butterfly New Zealand Trust

Many of you are reporting (www.mb.org.nz) that the monarchs are back, and hopefully they will get in a full generation before the social wasps start doing their damage. In this month’s magazine there is a very interesting article advising what you can do to reduce numbers of social wasps.

They only feed on caterpillars when they’re feeding their juvenile wasps – so during spring they are building their nests, then laying the eggs. When the eggs hatch our caterpillars are vulnerable!

Remember that a subscription to our magazine also helps fund our work. Consider it a donation but in return you will receive four helpful and colourful magazines… and you should have the magazine within a week of subscribing.

Illustrated below are the five species of social wasps which create havoc for caterpillars. They are Polistes chinensis / Asian paper wasp,
Polistes dominula, Polistes humilis / Common paper wasp, Vespula vulgaris / Common wasp and Vespula germanica / German paper wasp

Thanks Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research for photos. Note: These are for illustration purposes only and may not be to scale.

More messages from your neighbours
8 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
Enter Here

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3 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 19.8% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.8% Complete
  • 69.8% Nah - not for me
    69.8% Complete
817 votes
16 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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