Key Takeaways:
- Advanced tracking technology from the Netherlands will be used to trace hornets back to their nests in the next phase of the eradication project.
- The technology involves a small tracking device with a small antenna that can be attached to male hornets, allowing Biosecurity New Zealand to follow them back to their nests.
- The tracking strategy will focus on male hornets, which can be caught using traps and then fitted with the tracking device.
- Biosecurity NZ will also use a bait poison called Vespex to destroy hornet nests.
- The public has been instrumental in reporting hornet sightings, with nearly 4400 notifications received to date.
Introduction to the Eradication Project
The New Zealand government has been working to eradicate the invasive yellow-legged hornet species, which has been spotted on Auckland’s North Shore. Biosecurity New Zealand has been leading the charge, and their efforts are about to get a significant boost with the introduction of advanced tracking technology from the Netherlands. This technology will allow the team to track the hornets back to their nests, which is a crucial step in eliminating the species. The technology involves a small tracking device with a small antenna that can be attached to male hornets, allowing the team to follow them back to their nests.
The Tracking Technology
The tracking device is a small, lightweight device that can be attached to a male hornet. The device has a small antenna that allows the team to track the hornet’s movement, and it is powered by a small battery. The device is designed to be non-invasive and does not harm the hornet. The team will use traps to catch male hornets and then attach the tracking device to them. Once the device is attached, the team can track the hornet’s movement and follow it back to its nest. This technology has been used successfully in the United Kingdom and has been shown to be highly effective in tracking hornets back to their nests.
The Eradication Strategy
The eradication strategy involves a multi-pronged approach. The team will use the tracking technology to locate the nests, and then destroy them using a variety of methods. The team will also use a bait poison called Vespex to destroy the hornets. Vespex is a protein-based bait that is attractive to hornets, and it contains a toxic substance that kills the hornets. The team will place the bait in areas where hornets are known to be present, and the hornets will take the bait back to their nests, killing the rest of the colony. In addition to the tracking technology and Vespex, the team will also use traditional methods such as surveillance and trapping to locate and destroy the hornets.
Public Involvement
The public has been instrumental in reporting hornet sightings, with nearly 4400 notifications received to date. Biosecurity New Zealand has been working to spread the message about the importance of reporting hornet sightings, and the public has been responding. The team has been using social media and other channels to educate the public about the risks associated with the yellow-legged hornet and the importance of reporting sightings. The team has also been working with beekeepers and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the issue and to encourage people to report any sightings.
Community Response
The Bay of Plenty group, Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (TMBC), has been playing an important role in ensuring that members and the wider community stay informed about biosecurity risks like the yellow-legged hornet. The group has been sharing relevant advice and guidance to support a coordinated, informed response to the issue. TMBC will be hosting an online Partners Forum focused on the yellow-legged hornet, which will provide an overview of the current operational response, discussion of potential impacts on apiculture, horticulture, communities, and wider industries, and guidance on how individuals and organisations can support early detection and rapid reporting.
Conclusion
The introduction of advanced tracking technology from the Netherlands is a significant step forward in the eradication of the yellow-legged hornet species in New Zealand. The technology will allow Biosecurity New Zealand to track the hornets back to their nests, which is a crucial step in eliminating the species. The team will use a multi-pronged approach, including the tracking technology, Vespex, and traditional methods such as surveillance and trapping, to locate and destroy the hornets. The public has been instrumental in reporting hornet sightings, and the team will continue to work with the public and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the issue and to encourage people to report any sightings. With the help of the public and the use of advanced technology, Biosecurity New Zealand is confident that it can eradicate the yellow-legged hornet species and protect New Zealand’s ecosystem.
