Be on the watch for yellow-legged hornets

Biosecurity New Zealand is urging Aucklanders to be on the watch for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) following the discovery of a queen hornet building a nest in Glenfield.

The nest was swiftly removed by biosecurity officers on October 17, addressing the Biosecurity New Zealand immediate threat of a colony establishing North Commissioner, Mike Inglis says.

However, with summer approaching, any undetected nests could be a biosecurity risk.

“This is the first time we’ve found a queen yellow-legged hornet in New Zealand,” Inglis says.

“We responded quickly to this threat, but we need the public’s help to eliminate any further risk.”

Two male yellow-legged hornets were spotted earlier this year in the Auckland suburbs of Grafton and Albany. 

“New Zealand is fortunate to be free of hornet populations, and we want it to stay that way,” Inglis says.

The yellow-legged hornet is a biosecurity concern due to its potential impact on honeybee and wild bee populations.

“It is a highly adaptable predator with a broad diet, primarily feeding on bees, wasps and flies, but also ripe fruit and flower nectar, posing a risk to growers. It may compete with native insects and birds for food, and it has a painful sting.”

Members of the public are asked to report any sightings of suspected hornets or hornet nests online at report.mpi.govt.nz or by calling Biosecurity New Zealand’s exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

More information can be found by searching yellow-legged hornets on the MPI website.