Galapagos Species Database
The Galapagos Species Database shares the information about the species from our Natural History Collections.
Brachygastra lecheguana
Avispa negra, Black paper wasp, dark paper wasp
The black paper wasp is a predatory stinging insect of the order Hymenoptera distinguished by a compact black abdomen with small lateral yellow stripes. It forms small colonies and builds nests of 'paper' instead of wax, which they fill with stores of honey and use for several years (Hogue 1993). Paper wasps have a barbed stringer which can remain in the wounds of large animals or humans (Hogue 1993).
The Black Paper Wasp is a predatory stinging insect of the order Hymenoptera distinguished by a compact black abdomen with small lateral yellow stripes. It forms small colonies and builds nests of 'paper' instead of wax.
Domain
Eukaryota
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Suborder
Apocrita
Superfamily
Vespoidea
Family
Vespidae
Genus
Brachygastra
Species
lecheguana
Taxon category: Accepted
Taxon origin: Introduced - established
Habitat preferences: Paper wasps thrive in all but the driest habitats by constructing a ovoid nest (40-50cm long when mature) with a circular or slit entrance, which can weigh several kilograms when filled up with honey (Hogue 1993). The colony has multiple queens (up to 17% of the hive), reaching numbers as high as 15,000 wasps (Hogue 1993).
Feeding preferences: Generalist. Feeds on large numbers of butterfly and beetle larvae.
Trophic role: Carnivorous
Reproduction mode: Exclusively sexual
Distribution origin: Southern United States to Central America
Associated species in Galapagos: This species primarily disperses via active flight or on the tourism, fishing, and cargo transport that constantly travels within the archipelago.
Mode of introduction: Accidental
Introduction Pathway: Stowaway
Subpathway: Hitchhiker on transport vehicles/cargo
Introduced status: Naturalized
Invasive status: Invasive
Invasion risk score: Extreme risk
Impact elsewhere: Feeds on Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), boll weevil pupae in cotton bolls.
Year of first record: 1994
Map of specimen collection localities or observation records for this species in our collections database.
Distribution: Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, original range from Southern United States to Central America.
- Peck, S.B. Heraty, J., Landry, B. & Sinclair, B.J. (1998) Introduced insect fauna of an oceanic archipelago: The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Am. Entomol. 44: 218-237.
- Causton, C.E. Sevilla, C. (2008) Latest Records of Introduced Invertebrates in Galapagos and Measures to control them. Galapagos Report 2006-2007, CDF, GNP and INGALA, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, Ecuador, p. 142-145.
- Roque-Albelo, L. Causton, C. (1999) El niño and introduced insects in the galápagos islands: different dispersal strategies, similar effects. Noticias de Galápagos 60: 30-36.
- Peck, S.B. (1996) Origin and development of an insect fauna on a remote archipelago: The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. In: Keast A., Miller S.E. (eds.): The origin and evolution of Pacific Island biotas, New Guinea to eastern Polynesia: patterns and processes. SPB Academic Publishing, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, p. 91-122.
- Hogue, C. (1993) Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press. 430 pp.
Feeding type: Polyphagous