Source: Radio New Zealand
Biosecurity New Zealand North commissioner Mike Inglis said surveillance efforts were working. Biosecurity NZ
Another yellow-legged hornet queen has been found in Auckland’s North Shore, as Biosecurity New Zealand escalates its attempts to eradicate the invasive insect.
To date, 27 queen hornets, seven workers and 17 nests have been successfully located and removed from the Glenfield and Birkdale areas, Biosecurity NZ said.
Genetic testing indicated the hornets were closely related, suggesting a small, contained population.
Biosecurity New Zealand North commissioner Mike Inglis said the fact they were finding more hornets showed surveillance efforts were working.
The organisation had further expanded its surveillance and on-the-ground search operations across the North Shore.
“In recent weeks, we’ve put in five times as many traps – now more than 600 – across a 5km radius from detection sites, and property-by-property searches under way within 200m of confirmed finds,” Inglis said. “We are adding additional traps, as more hornets are found.
Biosecurity teams had so far searched more than 2100 properties and continued to search across the region.
“Those ground searches are paying dividends, with many of the nests and queens being detected through those intensive ground sweeps.”
Genetic testing indicated the hornets were closely related, suggesting a small, contained population. Biosecurity NZ
Teams from Auckland Council, Pest Free Kaipātiki, Plant & Food Research and Kiwifruit Vine Health had joined in the search.
Electronic tracking gear had also been purchased from the Netherlands to aid in the hunt, following advice from countries that had successfully managed hornet incursions.
“That technology arrived in New Zealand this week,” Inglis said. “Under the guidance of a UK expert, we plan to use the technology to trace nests, if worker activity increases over summer.”
The trackers would be attached to captured free-flying worker hornets, so that on release, they could be followed back to the hive.
Other recent Biosecurity response activities included:
- Using different trap designs and lures (sugar and protein-based)
- Ongoing inspections of beehives close to detection sites, along with ground surveys in reserves and residential areas
- A national advertising campaign launched this week, urging the public to report suspected sightings
- Continuing to raise public awareness by visiting markets, schools, local businesses, libraries and community centres
Biosecurity stressed that ongoing vigilance by the public and beekeepers was the best detection method.
“We’ve had more than 4000 public notifications so far – an incredible contribution – and we’re very keen for this to continue,” Inglis said.
Biosecurity New Zealand wanted to hear from anyone who had a suspected hornet specimen, had located a possible nest or taken a clear photo.
Sightings could be reported:
- Online at report.mpi.govt.nz
- By calling Biosecurity New Zealand’s exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66
- More information can be found at mpi.govt.nz/yellow-legged-hornet-2025
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
