THE EUROPEAN WASP, VESPULA-GERMANICA (FABRICIUS) (HYMENOPTERA, VESPIDAE), IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AND ITS POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION AS PREDICTED BYECOCLIMATIC MATCHING
Gd. Tribe et Dm. Richardson, THE EUROPEAN WASP, VESPULA-GERMANICA (FABRICIUS) (HYMENOPTERA, VESPIDAE), IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AND ITS POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION AS PREDICTED BYECOCLIMATIC MATCHING, African entomology, 2(1), 1994, pp. 1-6
Twenty years after the first record of the European wasp, Vespula germ
anica (Fabricius), in southern Africa, it is still confined to the Cap
e Peninsula, an area of approximately 470 km(2) Its spread in southern
Africa has been remarkably slow compared with other region Southern H
emisphere due to several ecological factors. Bioclimatic modelling was
used to determine the potential range of V. gel,manica in southern Af
rica. Results show that the southwestern Cape is sub-optimal for V. ge
rmanica, and that the surrounding Karoo is unfavourable. The most like
ly direction of natural expansion from the Cape Peninsula would be alo
ng the narrow coastal strip of the southern Cape. The eastern coast an
d sour grassveld in the interior are the most favourable regions for V
. germanica. Efforts should be made to exterminate the wasp before it
moves beyond the Cape Peninsula.