Key Takeaways
- Thermal drones are being used to locate and assess yellow-legged hornet nests and populations
- Tracking devices have been used to discover 43 queen hornets and 30 nests
- Public involvement has been strong, with over 9700 notifications received and community groups making traps and reporting sightings
- The eradication operation includes 965 traps, daily ground surveillance, and a public awareness campaign
- International experts are providing guidance and support to the response operation
Introduction to the Eradication Effort
The use of thermal drones and tracking devices has been a crucial part of the effort to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet from New Zealand. According to Biosecurity NZ, these tools have allowed for the pinpointing of nest locations and the assessment of populations, ensuring that the best plans are in place to safely destroy and remove the nests and hornet populations. This is especially important as summer progresses and hornets are likely to build larger secondary nests in trees, making them less visible to ground searchers. The use of tracker technology is expected to be particularly useful in this regard, allowing for the location and destruction of nests that may be difficult to detect.
Public Involvement and Reporting
Public interest and reporting have remained strong, with over 9700 notifications received so far. Biosecurity NZ has had a fantastic response from across the country, and importantly, from the local community where the hornets have been found. The agency’s teams on the ground have engaged with schools and community groups, and there are families making traps and putting them in their backyards. This level of public involvement is crucial to the success of the eradication effort, as it allows for the detection and reporting of hornet sightings and nests. The public can report suspected hornet specimens, possible nests, or clear photos online or by calling the Biosecurity NZ exotic pest and disease hotline.
The Importance of Locating and Destroying Queens
The recent use of tracking devices, along with public involvement, has resulted in the discovery of 43 queen hornets and 30 nests. Biosecurity NZ is focused on locating and destroying queens to stop them from producing a new generation of hornets. At the end of autumn, workers die, but any remaining mated queens can hide over winter and emerge the following spring to build nests and raise their young. It is therefore essential to locate and destroy these queens to prevent the establishment of a permanent population. All detections have been confined to the Glenfield and Birkdale areas, and the agency is working to ensure that the hornets do not spread to other parts of the country.
The Eradication Operation
The use of trackers is one part of an intensive eradication operation that includes a range of activities. There are currently 965 traps in an area out to 11km from detection locations, and ongoing daily ground surveillance is being conducted across the North Shore, with over 8300 visits to individual properties. A public awareness campaign is also running throughout the summer, and guidance is being provided by international experts, primary sector groups, and the agency’s own scientists. Two specialists from the United Kingdom with experience managing yellow-legged hornets are currently in New Zealand, observing the response operation and sharing their expertise, including their use of the tracking technology.
International Expertise and Guidance
The involvement of international experts has been an important part of the eradication effort. The two specialists from the United Kingdom have brought their experience and knowledge of managing yellow-legged hornets to the operation, and are providing guidance and support to the response team. The use of tracking technology is just one example of the expertise that these specialists have shared, and their involvement has been invaluable in helping to inform the eradication strategy. The agency is also working closely with primary sector groups and its own scientists to ensure that the response operation is effective and efficient.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the use of thermal drones and tracking devices has been a crucial part of the effort to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet from New Zealand. The public has played a vital role in the eradication effort, and the agency is grateful for their involvement and reporting. The eradication operation is ongoing, and the agency will continue to work tirelessly to locate and destroy the remaining queens and nests. The use of tracking technology, combined with public involvement and international expertise, will be essential in achieving the goal of eradicating the yellow-legged hornet from New Zealand.
