forests in New Zealand's upper South Island, where scale insects (Ultracoelostoma assimile) produce honeydew that both native birds and invasive Vespula wasps feed on.
[13] In 2011, Beggs co-authored a review that assessed the "distribution, abundance, impact and management of the invasive Vespidae worldwide", noting that the problem had become greater due to increased global trade.
[15] She explained that other management alternatives were being explored in the National Science Challenge,[16] and from work on offshore islands[17] that had indicated wasp density reduced in an area with less human modification of the environment and a higher amount of tree cover.
The report, co-authored by Beggs, suggested that "the match between pollinator body region hairiness and plant reproductive structure morphology is a powerful predictor of pollinator effectiveness...[which is important because]...identifying and accurately measuring key traits that drive ecosystem processes is critical as global change increasingly alters ecological communities, and subsequently, ecosystem functions worldwide.
[22] Beggs has been involved in research that showed the effectiveness of DNA metabarcoding of larval faeces to gather data on the interactions between different invasive species and what they fed on.
One study, using this methodology obtained high-resolution diet inventories that showed invasion by wasps had a considerable effect on the ecology, with evidence that they ate native and endemic invertebrates.
"[23] Earlier research had shown how the use of high-throughput DNA sequencing to analyse stomach content of faeces of Hymenoptera, was able to provide evidence that Polistes wasps fed on agricultural pests.
[29][30] She co-authored a further study for the issue that used narratives to explore how kaitiakitanga, as an example of managing the natural environment, could inform urban restoration projects by recognising and harnessing indigenous knowledge and values into New Zealand research policy.