A new weapon has emerged in the fight against the invasive yellow-legged hornet! Biosecurity New Zealand is gearing up to deploy advanced tracking technology, sourced from the Netherlands, in the next phase of its eradication project. This innovative approach aims to trace these unwanted hornets back to their nests, offering a significant advantage in controlling their spread.
So far, Biosecurity New Zealand has discovered over half of the 30 queen hornets on Auckland's North Shore showing signs of nesting activity. But how exactly will this new technology work?
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is ready to use the hornets' own nest-building instincts against them. The strategy centers on targeting male worker hornets. According to North commissioner Mike Inglis, the process begins by capturing male hornets using traps. Then, a tiny tracking device with a small antenna is attached. This allows experts to follow the hornet's movements, pinpointing the nest's location at specific times of the day or night. The tracker has already proven highly effective in the United Kingdom.
But here's where it gets interesting: the timing is crucial, as the hornets' nesting behavior changes in the coming weeks. Biosecurity NZ also plans to use a bait poison called Vespex. This poison, if ingested by the males and carried back to the nest, could eliminate the entire colony.
"It's a mixed approach," Inglis explains, "We make sure that we're belt and braces, so a bit of trapping, a bit of surveillance, the electronic sort of tagging of the hornets as well as doing the work that we're doing all guided by that technical advisory group and scientific evidence."
The public's role is crucial. Biosecurity NZ has received nearly 4400 notifications from the public so far. The message is being spread not only within Auckland but across the North Island.
Tomorrow, a forum hosted by Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (TMBC) will bring together national experts to discuss the ongoing response. TMBC, established in 2018, plays a vital role in keeping members and the wider community informed about biosecurity risks.
What do you think? Do you believe this new tracking technology will be successful in eradicating the yellow-legged hornet? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Are there other methods that could be used? Let's discuss!
