A swarm of wasps has taken up residence in Altona Meadows Community Park, causing the cancellation of a public concert and family picnic.
The hairy flower wasp, whose scientific name is either scolia soror or campsomeris, is native to Australia and useful for controlling other insect populations.
The wasps are completely docile, but the current swarm in Altona Meadows may cause inconvenience.
Hobsons Bay council, which runs the annual Summer Sounds outdoor music concert series, cancelled a family picnic and concert planned at the Trafalgar Avenue park on Friday.
Hobsons Bay strategic development acting director Kathleen McClusky said signage to alert the public to the wasps had been erected in the park.
“There are approximately 150 wasps that are actually within the park,” she said.
“Obviously, they’re native so we wouldn’t want to kill them.
“There will be further correspondence between the conservation team and councillors.
“It’s likely that the wasps will be there for at least until the end of March.”
She said the cancelled Altona Meadows event had been rescheculed for March 3 at Laverton’s McCormack Park.
Families are being encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy wasp-free performances by Kylie Cooper and the Pearly Shells Hot 4 from 5-7pm.
It will be the last concert in this year’s series.
