Yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) and their nests have been found in the Auckland region. Photo: Biosecurity NZ
Biosecurity NZ has more than doubled the surveillance zone for invasive yellow legged hornets in Auckland.
More than 30 queen hornets and 22 nests have been located and destroyed so far in the region, with trapping and ground searches expanded significantly across the city's North Shore recently.
Horticultural sectors have been concerned about the impact the predatory hornet could have on New Zealand's honey bee populations.
Nearly 650 traps have been set within a five-kilometre radius of detection sites, and more than 3500 properties have been searched within 200 metres of confirmed finds, Biosecurity NZ said.
Biosecurity's North commissioner Mike Inglis said the surveillance zone was being extended from five kilometres from detection sites on the North Shore to 11, after advice from an independent technical advisory group.
He said the extended surveillance would involve working closely with more beekeepers, including more than 575 registered apiaries in the 11-kilometre zone.
"This will provide greater assurance that the hornet incursion is a single population contained to the local area and allow us to respond quickly if there has been any spread," he said.
"From the very start, Biosecurity New Zealand's response to the hornet detections has been driven by science and expert advice. This will remain the foundation of our approach."
Yellow-legged hornets are an invasive species, and a danger to local honey and wild bees. Photo: Biosecurity NZ
Inglis urged Aucklanders and beekeepers to keep a watchful eye out for the pests.
"We've had more than 5610 public notifications so far. It's been fantastic to see such enthusiasm. We are very keen for this to continue, as it helps us respond quickly to possible detections," he said.
Biosecurity was also using different trap designs to hunt the hornets, as well as launching a national ad campaign to encourage sighting reports from the public.
It said it was purchasing electronic tracking gear to trace nests, by attaching transmitters to foraging worker hornets.
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