Image: YLH nests have been found in a range of locations, including within vegetation and on house structures. Click here to enlarge.

Meanwhile, the response on Auckland’s North Shore to detections of yellow-legged hornets (YLH) continues.

To date there have been 61 queens and 76 nests found within the response zone.

There haven’t been any detections outside the North Shore, and current assessments suggest it is unlikely they are present elsewhere but we’re very closely monitoring the situation and continue to encourage you to please remain alert and report possible finds.

You would have read in previous Bulletins about the increased use of trackers. The technique - attaching tiny radio transmitters to worker hornets and tracking them back to their nests - has quickly become a core tool in the response programme. Once a transmitter is attached to a hornet, nests are typically being located within a few hours.

KVH is working closely with Biosecurity New Zealand and other industry groups on all response activities (including long term planning for future hornet seasons as well as development of a nationwide surveillance system) to minimise risk to New Zealand growers and exporters and ensure all kiwifruit growers are able to maintain access to sufficient levels of pollination services.