Two yellow-legged hornets, a pest to horticulture, have recently been sighted in the Auckland region.

While this non-native hornet isn’t known to be present in New Zealand, it could pose a potential threat to our industry - yellow-legged hornets are known to attack honeybees (as well as tree sap and fruit) and could disrupt pollination in kiwifruit orchards.

Biosecurity New Zealand is urging us all to be on the lookout. Any potential finds of the yellow-legged hornet or its nest should be photographed and reported to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or online here.

Download a KVH fact sheet for more information specific to kiwifruit growers, including images, here.

There is also information about the hornet available from Biosecurity New Zealand here.