A New Front in the Battle Against Invasive Hornets: The fight against the yellow-legged hornet in New Zealand is escalating, and it's bringing some seriously high-tech tactics to the table. Biosecurity New Zealand is gearing up to introduce advanced tracking technology, straight from the Netherlands, to pinpoint the nests of these unwelcome invaders. This could be a game-changer!
So far, the situation is concerning. Out of the 30 queen hornets discovered on Auckland's North Shore, more than half showed signs of established nests. But here's where it gets interesting: the Ministry of Primary Industries is about to turn the hornets' own nest-building habits against them.
According to North Commissioner Mike Inglis, the strategy involves tracking male worker hornets. Here's how it works:
- Catch and Tag: Male hornets will be caught and fitted with tiny tracking devices. These devices have small antennas.
- Follow the Trail: Experts will then follow the tagged hornets, monitoring their movements at specific times of the day or night.
- Nest Destruction: This will lead them directly back to the nests, which can then be destroyed.
Inglis highlights that this tracking method has already proven highly effective in the United Kingdom.
But that's not all. Biosecurity NZ is also planning to use a bait poison called Vespex. This poison will be used in protein traps, and if the males pick it up, they'll carry it back to the nest, effectively wiping out the inhabitants. It's a combined approach, with trapping, surveillance, and electronic tagging, all guided by scientific evidence.
Spreading the Word: The public has been incredibly responsive, with nearly 4400 notifications received so far. Inglis will be speaking at a forum hosted by Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (TMBC), bringing together national experts to discuss the ongoing hornet response. The message is clear: Biosecurity NZ is working hard to spread awareness, not just in Auckland but across the North Island.
TMBC, established in 2018, is actively involved in informing its members and the wider community about biosecurity risks. They're closely monitoring the situation and sharing relevant advice to support a coordinated response. TMBC will host an online Partners Forum, providing an overview of the current operational response, discussing potential impacts, and offering guidance on early detection and reporting.
A Controversial Question: Do you think this combination of high-tech tracking and bait poison is the most effective way to combat the spread of these invasive hornets? What other strategies could be considered? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
