The introduced English wasp Vespula vulgaris (L.) (Hymenoptera : Vespidae)newly recorded invading native forests in Tasmania

The social wasp Vespula vulgaris (L.), an introduced species that has cause d extreme ecological damage in New Zealand, is reported from southern Tasma nian forests for the first time. In mainland Australia, this wasp has been present in the Melbourne area since 1958 and our retrospective analysis pla ces it in Hobart since 1995. In the present paper, we document V. vulgaris in natural areas in southern Tasmania, well away from human habitation. Mal aise trap samples collected since 1997 from nine sites at the Warra Long-te rm Ecological Research area in southern Tasmania revealed the widespread pr esence of both V. vulgaris and V. germanica (F.), another introduced specie s of concern. Analysis of microsatellite DNA markers showed no evidence of hybridisation between the two species. The potential impact of this newest social insect threat to Australian native biota is discussed.