Biosecurity NZ ramps up hunt for yellow-legged hornet on Auckland’s North Shore

To date, 10 queen hornets, two workers and seven nests have been located and removed from the Glenfield and Birkdale areas.

“We’re laser-focused on our work to eradicate this hornet, guided by international best practice and expert advice,” says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North.

A Technical Advisory Group (TAG), comprising independent scientific experts from countries that have successfully managed hornet incursions, is supporting the response. Their recommendations are shaping Biosecurity New Zealand’s strategy.

Key additional actions getting under way include:

• Extending trapping out to 5km, with a combination of carbohydrate and protein traps, with further extension as needed.
• Introducing advanced tracking technology from the Netherlands to trace hornets back to their nests.
• Hosting a specialist from the UK’s hornet response team to train staff and advise on programme delivery.
• Increasing staff on the ground to accelerate detection and removal.

Inglis says the success of this response is heavily reliant on the ongoing support of the public and key stakeholders.

“We are working closely and engaging regularly with the bee industry, horticulture and arable sector partners, regional councils and DOC on our response efforts.

“We have had a fantastic response from the public and more than 2900 notifications to date. That’s the best surveillance we can ask for to supplement the efforts of all our staff involved in this response,” says Inglis.

"While these hornets have not been found anywhere else in New Zealand outside of the Glenfield and Birkdale areas to date, we need the public keep being our eyes and reporting suspected finds of hornets or nests.”

Members of the public are urged to report suspected hornets or nests — but only if they have a specimen, a clear photo, or have located a possible nest.