Biosecurity New Zealand is urging Auckland residents to stay vigilant for yellow-legged hornets and their nests as the pest population climbs. So far, 33 queen hornets have been found in the Glenfield and Birkdale areas on the North Shore, with two additional discoveries since Friday. Twenty-one of these have either developed nests or clear signs of nesting.
North Island Biosecurity NZ commissioner Mike Inglis stressed that the hornets have not yet spread beyond Glenfield and Birkdale. To raise awareness, officials have posted signs within a one-kilometre radius of the initial sightings, including in Milford.
"Our aim is awareness, not panic. We’re keeping the public informed and placing signs where they’ll be seen. If you spot a hornet, take a photo; if you see a nest, photograph it too. Do not disturb it—call our hotline and trained staff will respond to handle the situation," Inglis said.
Teams have deployed more than 617 traps to eradicate the invasive insects, which are nearly twice the size of a common wasp and have the potential to devastate bee colonies.
Trapping has been expanded to a five-kilometre radius around the hornet detections, using a mix of carbohydrate and protein-based traps. Officials will consult the Technical Advisory Group before deciding whether to broaden the area further.
New tracking technology from the Netherlands, focused on worker hornets, has arrived and will help trace nests by following the movements of workers. Inglis noted early signs of worker hornets and cautioned that more are likely to appear over the next four to six weeks, as they establish secondary nests and continue foraging largely in the same vicinity.
Public reports have surged, with Biosecurity NZ receiving more than 4,860 messages so far about the hornets.
Report any sightings to the hotline and help protect local ecosystems from this invasive species.
