Photo: Grant Maiden Photography

Phil Lester is the author of The Vulgar Wasp (VUP, 2018) and Healthy Bee, Sick Bee (VUP, 2020).

A Professor in Ecology and Entomology at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, Phil has published more than 125 articles on invasive ants, wasps and other insects in journals that include Biology Letters, Ecology, and Proceedings of the Royal Society. Phil sits on the editorial boards of several journals, including Biological Invasions. He has won Fulbright and Royal Society Te Apārangi James Cook Research Fellowships.

Praise for The Vulgar Wasp

‘A riveting account of an extraordinary animal. Lester engages readers in the biological complexities and wide-ranging impacts of a “scary” wasp as an excellent example of controversies swirling around biological invasions.’ —Daniel Simberloff, Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Tennessee and author of Invasive Species: What Everyone Needs to Know

‘Lester cleverly weaves facts and figures on the astonishing science of this little-loved insect into a text that’s tickled with memorable anecdotes and personable insights. If you thought wasps were pointless, boring and unimportant, think again.’ —Dr Seirian Sumner, Reader in Behavioural Ecology at University College London

‘The Vulgar Wasp is more than just interesting and instructive; it’s a delight to read. It’s packed full of up-to-date information on invasive wasps in New Zealand and elsewhere, as well as in their native range – all presented in an engaging, humorous and informative manner. Everything you might want to know about the life cycle of wasps, methods of control, and the environmental, social and economic costs of these pesky invertebrates can be found in this enormously readable book.’ —Dr Andrea Byrom, Director of New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge

Phil talks to Kathryn Ryan about monarch butterflies (Nine to Noon, RNZ)

Phil talks to Simon Morton about 'NZ's most wanted pest' (This Way Up, RNZ)

An interview on wasps with Greg Dixon in the NZ Listener

Phil talks to Alison Ballance about wasp genomes (Our Changing World, RNZ)