Growers - especially in the Auckland region - are encouraged to be on the lookout and stay alert for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) or nests. Please report sightings immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66 or make an online report here.

To date, there has been an excellent response from the public since the detection of a queen hornet and a nest on 17 October. Since this date, there have been more than 800 notifications.

Biosecurity New Zealand has confirmed four queen hornets – three with nests, and a fourth with a nest in early stages of construction. They were detected in Glenfield, with one nearby in Birkdale.

As these detections have provided a good indication of where the hornets may be, traps are now being deployed in the area. The placement of traps is being guided by public notifications.

The yellow-legged hornet is a highly adaptable predator that poses multiple threats:

• Attacks honeybee and wild bee populations.
• Feeds on ripe fruit and nectar.
• Competes with native insects and birds,
• Has a painful sting and potential to establish colonies.

KVH is actively engaging with Biosecurity New Zealand on yellow-legged hornet activities and will continue to keep growers informed as the situation develops.

• Read more about the detection on the Biosecurity New Zealand website, including helpful images, here.
• Read the KVH fact sheet, including helpful images, here.
• Read more about offshore threats of specific concern to the kiwifruit industry here.