Key Takeaways:
- New Zealanders are being encouraged to report sightings of yellow-legged hornets, a biosecurity concern that can impact honeybee and wild bee populations.
- The hornets have been found in the Auckland area, specifically in Glenfield and Birkdale, with 38 queen hornets and 25 nests discovered as of December 22.
- The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is working to eradicate the hornets, with 780 traps in place and a team of experts from the United Kingdom arriving in January to assist with the effort.
- The public is advised to check for hornets and their nests in common areas such as eaves of houses, sheltered entrances, and wooden structures, and to report any sightings to the exotic pest and disease hotline.
Introduction to the Yellow-Legged Hornet
The yellow-legged hornet, also known as Vespa velutina, is a pest hornet that is not native to New Zealand. It is a biosecurity concern due to its potential impact on honeybee and wild bee populations. The hornet primarily feeds on bees, wasps, and flies, and may compete with native insects and birds for food. It also has a painful sting, making it a threat to humans as well. As the holiday season approaches, New Zealanders are being encouraged to keep an eye out for these hornets, as authorities expect to find more in the next few months.
The Current Situation
As of December 22, there have been 38 queen hornets found in the Auckland area, with 25 of those hornets found with nests. The hornets have been discovered in the Glenfield and Birkdale areas, and authorities are working to contain the infestation. North Shore councillor Richard Hills has expressed his gratitude to residents for reporting sightings, which has helped in efforts to eradicate the hornets. Hills has also emphasized the importance of not killing the hornets, as this can make it difficult for authorities to track them back to their nests.
Efforts to Eradicate the Hornets
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is working to eradicate the hornets, with 780 traps in place within an 11km radius of where the hornets were found. The MPI has also completed over 6,540 ground surveys and will continue to conduct intensive ground surveillance work throughout the summer. Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner North, Mike Inglis, has stated that the best surveillance tool they have is the public, and has encouraged people to report any sightings of suspected hornets or hornet nests. The MPI has received over 7,075 notifications so far, and Inglis has expressed his appreciation for the public’s help in this effort.
How to Identify and Report Hornets
The MPI advises people to check common nesting areas such as eaves of houses, sheltered entrances, wooden structures, carports, under wooden decks, sheds, and outbuildings for hornets and their nests. People should also check boats, caravans, or camper vans before using them to avoid moving nests around, and should take care not to disturb any nests when gardening. If a hornet or nest is spotted, people can report it to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966, email [email protected], or online at report.mpi.govt.nz.
International Expertise and Advanced Technology
The MPI is also working with international experts to combat the hornet infestation. A team of hornet experts from the United Kingdom is due to visit in January to assist with the effort. The team will work with Biosecurity New Zealand to attach advanced trackers to hornets, which will allow them to be traced back to their nests. This technology, which is from the Netherlands, will help authorities to find and destroy the nests, especially as the weather warms up and the hornets start to make bigger nests high up in trees.
Conclusion
The yellow-legged hornet is a significant biosecurity concern in New Zealand, and authorities are working hard to eradicate it. The public plays a crucial role in this effort, and people are encouraged to report any sightings of suspected hornets or hornet nests. With the help of international expertise and advanced technology, authorities are hopeful that they can contain and eliminate the infestation. As the holiday season approaches, New Zealanders are urged to remain vigilant and to report any sightings to the exotic pest and disease hotline. By working together, we can help to protect New Zealand’s honeybee and wild bee populations, as well as native insects and birds, from this invasive pest.
