Jacqueline Rae Beggs

Ngāti Awa

1962 -

Jacqueline Beggs was born in Palmerston North and educated at Waiouru Primary School, Linden Primary School, Tawa College and Rangitoto College. She graduated with B.Sc and M.Sc (1st class Hons) in Zoology from Auckland University and PhD at the University of Otago. Jacqueline has worked as a scientist for Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research in Nelson specialising in the area of ecology of kaka and wasps. She is currently a senior lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. She writes scientific papers and has written various contract reports, newsletters and magazine articles. She was editor of Wasp Times for 29 issues and of its successor, Stowaways, for two issues. She publishes under the name J.R. Beggs.

Biographical sources

  • Correspondence with Jacqueline Beggs, 8 June 1993, and 3 Nov. 2007.

    Films/Video

  • "Bandits Of The Beech Forest." 1-hour TV documentary. Wild South, Natural History NZ Ltd.

  • Non-fiction

  • "Kaka: A Threatened Species?" Forest And Bird Magazine 250 (1988): 18-19.
  • Co-authors J. R. Beggs and P. R. Wilson.
  • "Ecology And Control Of Wasps Populations In New Zealand." Contract Report To Department Of Conservation, 1990.
  • Co-authors H. Moller, J. R. Beggs, J. A. V. Tilley, R. J. Toft, N. J. Wilson, and P. A Alspach.
  • "Three Nests In A Row." North and South 1991. No further details.
  • "Impacts Of The Parasitoid Sphecophaga Vesparum On Colonies Of The Common Wasp (Vespula Vulgaris)." Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference Entomological Society of New Zealand, 1992.
  • Co-authors J. R. Beggs, P. A. Alspach, H. Moller, R. J. Toft, J. A. V. Tilley.
  • "Bandits Of The Beech Forest." New Zealand Science Teacher 91 (1999): 33-36.
  • "Scientific Review Of The Australian Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis Invicta) Eradication Program." Report To The Australian National Red Import Fire Ant Consultative Committee, 2004.
  • Co-authors P. R. Davis, J. R. Beggs, R. Wylie, and B. M. Drees.
  • "Developing A Framework For Prioritising Pest Management Policy." Unpublished report for Auckland Regional Council, 2006.
  • Co-authors J. Russell, D. Choquenot, and M. N. Clout and J. R. Beggs.

    • Other

  • Stowaways website: infrmation on invasive invertebrates in natural ecosystems. http://stowaways.landcareresearch.co.nz

  • Scientific

  • "Nest Boxes for Parakeets and Kakas." N Z J Ecol 8 (1985): 146.
  • Co-authors J. E. C. Flux, A. Bowen, N. Gibbs, S. Ruarus and J. Beggs.
  • "Energetics of South Island Kaka (Nestor meridionalis meridionalis) Feeding on the Larvae of Kanuka Longhorn Beetles (Ochrocydus huttoni)." New Zealand Journal of Ecology 10 (1987): 143-147.
  • Co-authors J. Beggs and P. R. Wilson. In this study of the eating habits of the Kaka, Beggs and Wilson “calculate the energy yield of an O. huttoni larva, record the time taken to dig one out, and estimate the possible cost of obtaining it. The theoretical energy requirements of kaka are calculated from allometric equations in the literature, and compared to [the authors’] estimates of existence metabolism.” In the authors’ study area, the catchment of Duckpond Stream in Big Bush State Forest, the authors conclude that “both the insect and high-energy foods of the kaka may be threatened, by management and biotic factors respectively.”
  • "Carbohydrate Analysis of Beech Honeydew." New Zealand Journal of Zoology 16 (1989): 283-288.
  • Co-authors J. Beggs and W. D. Grant. The authors state that “[t]his paper presents the qualitative and quantitative sugar composition of honey dew from New Zealand beech trees. The relationship between sugar concentration measured in the field using a hand-held refractometer and analytically-determined total carbohydrate was investigated.”
  • "The Kaka (Nestor meridionalis), a New Zealand Parrot, Threatened by Wasps and Mammals." Biological Conservation 56 (1991): 23-38.
  • Co-authors J. Beggs and P. R. Wilson. “Traffic Rate as an Index of Colony Size in Vespula Wasps”. New Zealand
  • "Traffic Rate as an Index of Colony Size in Vespula Wasps". New Zealand Journal of Zoology 18 (1991): 105-109.
  • Co-authors J. Beggs, J. P. Malham, J. S. Rees, P. A. Alspach, and H. Moller. The authors write that “[t]his paper calibrates the traffic-rate index of wasp colonies against the biomass and the number of workers in common (Vespula vulgaris) and German wasp (V. germanica) colonies. Measurements were made for colonies in honeydew beech forest and suburban Nelson, New Zealand.”
  • "Establishment of the Wasp Parasitoid, Sphecophaga vesparum (Hymenoptera: ichneumonidae) in New Zealand." New Zealand Journal of Zoology 18 (1991): 199-208.
  • Co-authors H. Moller, G. M. Plunket, J. A. V. Tilley, and R. J. Toft and J. R. Beggs.
  • "New Zealand Wasp Research - Uncoordinated Goals or Still Stuck in the Descriptive Bottleneck?" New Zealand Journal of Zoology 18 (1991): 230-231.
  • Co-authors J. Beggs and H. Moller. A response to Roger Akre’s perspective of New Zealand wasp research in which he calls for “more co-ordinated and goal-oriented research on wasps through better communication and sharing of data amongst researchers.” Beggs and Moller note that much wasp research in New Zealand has focussed on the descriptive base and not on a predictive mode, and that there is a “comparative lack of researchers and funds in New Zealand”. They conclude by outlining current research in wasp ecology and wasp control.
  • "Are Wasps More Likely to Sting Men than Women?" NZ Entomologist 16 (July 1993): 49-51.
  • Co-authors J. Beggs and P. R. Notman.
  • "Changes In The Distribution And Proportions Of Vespula Vulgaris (L.) And V. Germanica (Fab) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Between 1987 And 1990-91 In New Zealand." New Zealand Journal of Zoology 21 (1994): 295-303.
  • Co-authors B. K. Clapperton J. A. V. Tilley, J. R. Beggs and H. Moller.
  • "Seasonality Of Crane Flies (Diptera: Tipulidae) In South Island Beech Forest In Relation To The Abundance Of Vespula Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)." New Zealand Entomologist 18 (1995): 37-43.
  • Co-authors R. J. Toft and J. R. Beggs.
  • "Variation In The Quality Of Vespula Vulgaris (L.) Queens (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) And Its Significance In Wasp Population Dynamics." New Zealand Journal of Zoology 22 (1995): 131-142.
  • Co-authors R. J. Harris and J. R. Beggs.
  • "Invasion Success Of The Wasp Parasitoid: Spechophaga Vesparum Vesparum (Curtis) In New Zealand." New Zealand Journal of Zoology 23 (1996): 1-9.
  • Co-authors J. R. Beggs, R. J. Harris, and P. E. C. Read.
  • "Impacts Of Introduced Common Wasps (Vespula Vulgaris) On Experimentally Placed Mealworms In A New Zealand Beech Forest." Oecologia 105 (1996): 266-270.
  • Co-authors K. Barr, H. Moller, E. Christmas, and P. Lyver and J. R. Beggs.
  • "A Model For The Effect Of Sphecophaga Vesparum As A Biological Control Agent Of The Common Wasp In New Zealand." Journal of Applied Ecology 33 (1996): 31-44.
  • Co-authors N. D. Barlow, H. Moller and J. R. Beggs.
  • "The Role Of Inbtroduced Predators And Competitors In The Decline Of Kaka (Nestor Meridionalis) Populations In New Zealand." Biological Conservation 83 (1998): 175-185.
  • Co-authors P. R. Wilson, B. J. Karl, R. J. Toft, J. R. Beggs and R. H. Taylor.
  • "Spread Of The Wasp Parasitoid Sphecophaga Vesparum Vesparum, Following Its Release In New Zealand." New Zealand Journal of Ecology 22 (1998): 205-208.
  • Co-authors N. D. Barlow, J. R. Beggs and H. Moller.
  • "The Difficulty Of Reducting Introduced Wasp (Vespula Vulgaris) Populations For Conservation Gains." New Zealand Journal of Ecology 33 (1998): 55-63.
  • Co-authors J. R. Beggs, R. J. Toft, J. P Malham, J. Rees, J. A. V. Tilley, H. Moller, and P. Alspach.
  • "Restructuring Of Insect Communities By Introduced Vespula Wasps In A New Zealand Beech Forest." Oecologia 119 (1999): 565-571.
  • Co-authors J. R. Beggs and J. S. Rees.
  • "Mortality And Emergence Pattern Of Over-Wintering Cocoons Of The Wasp Parasitoid Sphecophaga Vesparum Vesparum (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) In New Zealand." Environmental Entomology 28 (1999): 9-13.
  • Co-authors R. J. Toft, J. P. Malham and J. R. Beggs.
  • "Comparison Of The Quality Of Red And Silver Beech (Nothofagus) Seed In Nelson Lakes National Park." New Zealand Journal of Botany 37 (1999): 495-501.
  • "Can The Wasp Parasitoid, Sphecophaga Vesparum, Significantly Reduce The Density Of Vespula Wasps?" New Zealand Journal of Zoology 27 (2000): 73-74.
  • Co-authors J. R. Beggs and R. J. Harris.
  • "Impact And Control Of Introduced Vespula Wasps In New Zealand." Hymenoptera: Evolution, Biodiversity And Biological Control. Ed. A. D. Austin, M. Dowton. CSIRO Publishing, 2000.
  • "The Ecological Consequences Of Social Wasps (Vespula Spp.) Invading An Ecosystem That Has An Abundant Carbohydrate Resource." Biological Conservation 99 (2001): 17-28.
  • "No Evidence For Establishment Of The Wasp Parasitoid, Sphecophaga Vesparum Burra (Creeon) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) At Two Sites In New Zealand." New Zealand Journal Of Zoology 29 (2002): 205-211.
  • Co-authors J. R. Beggs, J. S. Rees and R. J. Harris.
  • "Dynamics Of Common Wasps In New Zealand Beech Forests: A Model With Density Dependence And Weather." Journal Of Animal Ecology 71 (2002): 663-671.
  • Co-authors N. D. Barlow, J. R. Beggs and M. C. Barron.
  • "A Simple Gravimetric Technique For Estimating Honeydew Or Nectar Production." New Zealand Journal Of Ecology 28 (2004): 283-288.
  • Co-authors R. J. Dungan, J. R. Beggs and D. A. Wardle.
  • "Soluble Carbon Production By Honeydew Scale Insects In A New Zealand Beech Forest." New Zealand Journal Of Ecology 29 (2005): 105-115.
  • Co-authors J. R. Beggs, B. J. Karl, D. A. Wardle and K. I. Bonner.
  • "Alligator Weed (Alternanthera Philoxeroides) Invasion Affects DecompositioIn A Northern New Zealand Lake." Proceedings of the 15 th Australian Weeds Conference. Ed. C. Preston, J. H. Watts and N. D. Crossman. (Adelaide: Weed Managements Society of South Australia), 2006: 776-779.
  • Co-authors I. Bassett, Q. Paynter abd J. Beggs.
  • "Keystone Species: Competition For Honeydew Among Exotic And Indigenous Species." Chapter 18. Ecological Studies: Biological Invasions In New Zealand. Ed. R. B. Allen And W. G. Lee. ?: Springer-Verlag, 2006: 281-294.
  • Co-authors J. R. Beggs and D. A. Wardle.
  • "The Diversity And Origin Of Exotic Ants Arriving To New Zealand Via Human-Mediated Dispersal." Diversity & Distributions 12 (2006): 601-609.
  • Co-authors D. F. Ward, J. R. Beggs, M. N. Clout, R. Harris and S. O’Connor.
  • "Coexistence habitat patterns and the asse,bly of Ant Communities in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji." Acta Oecologica. 2007. In press.
  • Co-authors D. F. Ward and J. R. Beggs.
  • "Evaluating the Impact of a Biological Control Parasitoid on Invasive Vespula Wasps in a Natural Forest Ecosystem. Biological Control. In press.
  • Co-authors J. R. Begs, J. S. Rees, R. J. Toft. T. J. Dennis and N. D. Barlow.
  • "Support for vicariant origins of the New Zealand Onychophora." JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY 37.4 (2010): 669-681.
  • Co-authors J. Allwood, D.Gleeson, G. Mayer, S. Daniels and T. R. Buckley.
  • "Declines in common, widespread native birds in a mature temperate forest." BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 143.9 (2010): 2119-2126
  • Co-authors G. P. Elliott, P. R. Wilson, R. H. Taylor and J. R. Beggs.
  • "Complex habitat changes along elevational gradients interact with resource requirements of insect specialist herbivores." Ecosphere 3.12 (2012).
  • Co-authors C.Damken and G. Perry.
  • "Generalist dung attraction response in a New Zealand dung beetle that evolved with an absence of mammalian herbivores." Ecological Entomology 37.2 (2012): 124-133.
  • Co-authors A. G.Jones, S. A. Forgie, D. J. Scott and J. R. Beggs.
  • "Ultrastructural and molecular characterization of a bacterial symbiosis in the ecologically important scale insect family Coelostomidiidae." FEMS Microbiol Ecol 81.3 (2012): 537-546.
  • Co-authors M. K. Dhami, A. P. Turner, P. Deines, J. R. Beggs and M. W. Taylor.
  • "Diverse honeydew-consuming fungal communities associated with scale insects." PLoS One, 8.7 (2013).
  • Co-authors M. K.,Dhami, B. S. Weir and M. W. Taylor.
  • "Assessing the impact of an introduced bee, Anthidium manicatum, on pollinator communities in New Zealand." New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2013.
  • Co-author J. Soper.
  • "Invasive wasps, not birds, dominate in a temperate honeydew system." Austral Ecology 38.3 (2013): 346-354.
  • Co-authors R. Gardner-Gee.
  • "Primary symbiont of the ancient scale insect family Coelostomidiidae exhibits strict cophylogenetic patterns." Symbiosis 61.2 (2013): 77-91.
  • Co-authors M. K.Dhami, T. R. Buckley, and M. W. Taylor.
  • "Are nesting seabirds important determinants of invertebrate community composition on subantarctic Adams Island?" Polar Biology 37.4 (2014): 531-540.
  • Co-authors I. E.Bassett, G. P. Elliott, K. J. Walker and S.Thorpe.
  • "Dung beetles in an avian-dominated island ecosystem: feeding and trophic ecology." Oecologia 176.1 (2014): 259-271.
  • Co-authors J. R. Stavert, A. C. Gaskett and D. J. Scott.
  • "The volatile organic compounds of introduced and native dung and carrion and their role in dung beetle foraging behaviour." Ecological Entomology 39.5 (2014): 556-565.
  • Co-authors Anne Gaskett and Jamie Stavert.
  • "Risks and drivers of wild bird feeding in urban areas of New Zealand." Biological Conservation (2014): 64-74.
  • Co-authors J. A. Galbraith, D. N. Jones, E. J. McNaughton, C. R. Krull and M. C. Stanley.
  • "Can alternative sugar sources buffer pollinators from nectar shortages?." Environmental entomology 43.6 (2014): 1514-1525.
  • Co-authors R.Gardner-Gee, M. K. Dhami and K. J. Paulin.
  • "Relative importance of sugar resources to endemic gecko populations in an isolated island ecosystem." NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 39.2 (2015): 262-272.
  • Co-authors A. E.Evans and D. R. Towns.
  • "Selecting non-target species for risk assessment of entomophagous biological control agents: Evaluation of the PRONTI decision-support tool." Biological Control (2015): 77-88.
  • C-authors J. H. Todd, B. I. P.Barratt, L.Tooman, J. R.Beggs, and L. A. Malone.
  • "Re-forestation restores native dominance in an island beetle fauna." Restoration Ecology 23.3 (2015): 268-276.
  • Co-authors R. Gardner-Gee and M. C. Stanley.
  • "Supplementary feeding restructures urban bird communities." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 112.20 (2015): E2648-E2657.
  • Co-authors J. A.Galbraith, D. N. Jones and M. C. Stanley.
  • "Protecting trees at an individual level provides insufficient safeguard for urban forests." Landscape and Urban Planning 141 (2015): 112-122.
  • Co-authors S. V. Wyse, J. R. Beggs, B. R. Burns and M. C. Stanley.

    • Theses

  • "Energetics of Kaka in a South Island Beech Forest." Unpublished MSc thesis, U of Auckland, 1988.
  • "Impact And Control Of Introduced Vespula Wasps In A South Island Beech Forest." Unpublished PhD thesis, U of Otago, 1999.