German Wasp vs Common Wasp vs Paper Wasp: NZ ID Guide
German, common or paper wasp? Here's how to identify the three main NZ wasp species — and what each means for control.
The three wasps you'll meet in NZ
New Zealand has three main problem wasps. Telling them apart matters — they nest differently and respond to different control.
German wasp (Vespula germanica)
- Look: yellow & black, 12–16mm, three small black dots on the face.
- Nest: underground or in wall cavities, can be huge.
- Aggression: very high when disturbed.
Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
- Look: almost identical to German, anchor-shaped face mark.
- Nest: underground, often in old rodent burrows.
- Aggression: extremely high.
Paper wasp (Polistes spp.)
- Look: longer, slimmer body, very thin waist, legs dangle in flight.
- Nest: small open comb hanging from branches or eaves.
- Aggression: moderate — less likely to swarm.
The trap that catches all three
The GotchaPest Bee-Safe Wasp Trap catches German, common and paper wasps — while keeping bees safe.
Identify and report
Not sure what you've seen? Snap a photo and Ask Buzzy 🐝. Log sightings in the GotchaPest app to help map NZ wasp spread.
Not sure which pest you're dealing with?
Snap a photo and — our NZ-made AI pest assistant will identify it from our verified species database and recommend the right trap. Free, honest, and grounded in real Kiwi catch data.
GotchaPest Team
NZ-made pest control, designed in Aotearoa for Kiwi conditions. Our traps are UV-tough, reusable and bee-safe — paired with the world's first AI Trap Buddy and the GotchaPest community pest tracker. Available at Mitre 10, Kings Plant Barn and right here online.
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Trap smarter with GotchaPest
UV-tough, NZ-made traps paired with the app and Buzzy — the first ever AI Trap Buddy.