Fauna For Tiny Tuesday

I thought I would never find an insect or bug today as it is winter. I did follow a fly around for a while but it wouldn't settle. Just as I was about to give up I spotted this insect sunning itself on an ornamental flax.

It is much skinnier than a German Wasp and at first I thought it could be a common wasp. However, when I consulted my insect book and compared the patterns of the stripes, I think it is more likely a Chinese Paper wasp ( Polistes Chinensis) - a more recent immigrant to this country. Apparently it is quite common now as far South as Nelson and Blenheim after being accidentally introduced into Auckland around 1979.