Landcare research is testing a mite species with the hope it can reduce the country's wasp population.
Wasps cost the primary industries about $130 million and Landcare research scientist Bob Brown said it wanted to test the mite to see if it could lower the wasps' fitness.
He said if the mite did affect the wasps, then they could use it as a weapon.
Mr Brown said ideally the mites would completely wipe out wasps in New Zealand.
