Twenty-seven queen yellow-legged hornets have so far been found in Auckland as efforts to eliminate them continue to ramp up.
In addition, seven worker hornets and 17 nests were found and removed from the Glenfield and Birkdale areas.
The first yellow-legged hornet was discovered in Glenfield in late October.
The predator hornets are a danger to local honey and wild bees.
Genetic testing of the hornets indicated they were closely related, suggesting a “small, contained population”.
Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north Mike Inglis said the numbers showed surveillance was working, prompting further expansion across Auckland’s North Shore.
“In recent weeks, we’ve put in five times as many traps (now more than 600) across a 5km radius from detection sites, and property-by-property searches under way within 200 metres of confirmed finds,” he said.
Inglis said their teams had searched more than 2100 properties “and that number grows every day”.
“Those ground searches are paying dividends, with many of the nests and queens being detected through those intensive ground sweeps.”
Teams from Auckland Council, Pest Free Kaipātiki, Plant & Food Research, and Kiwifruit Vine Health have joined Biosecurity NZ forces on the ground.
Electronic tracking gear, purchased following international expertise, arrived in New Zealand this week.
Inglis stressed the continued importance of public vigilance, despite the increased surveillance.
“We’ve had more than 4000 public notifications so far – an incredible contribution – and we’re very keen for this to continue.”
Anyone who has a suspected hornet specimen, located a possible nest, or taken photographs of them have been advised to contact Biosecurity NZ.
