German Wasp
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Scientific name: Vespula germanica
Common name: German wasp, Pi Waikato is the Maori name They named it after the striped colours of the Waikato rugby jersey.
The widespread German wasps live in large colonies, about the size of a soccer ball, but which can become huge if they manage to survive over winter. The German wasp was introduced with United States aeroplane parts in the 1940s and is now widespread. This wasp is very similar in appearance to the common wasp, and both have the characteristic black and yellow colouration but the German wasp has black dots along its body.. German wasp nests are grey. Common wasp nests are brown. It feeds on meat,many other insects,sweet foods and competes with native birds for nectar, fruit and honey dew. It can sting
Department of Conservation.Wasp factsheet (PDF, 90K)
Photos showing body markings on wasp species
German wasp on a fennel flower
Entrance to a German wasps nest
Top soil removed and top layer of nest lifted back. 
Photo of the centre of the nest removed showing internal levels. These levels are held apart by pillars. (see one on top level) For more details of a wasp nest visit http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/invertebrates/Wasps/nest_expansion.asp
Photo showing the structure of the external wall of the nest (Centre of the nest removed)
Photo showing the iside of the nest layer. Note pillar support
The queen, workers and larvae in their cells
A young wasp emerging from its cell
Same wasp as above just about out
Head of the queen wasp 
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