Biosecurity New Zealand will deploy a new bait tool against yellow-legged hornets in Auckland.

Mike Inglis, commissioner north, says the agency will soon begin using a locally developed protein-based insecticide bait called Vespex.

The product has already been used successfully on wasps and is expected to work against the hornet.

“Targeting hornets with this product, called Vespex, is a world-first, as unlike in other countries, New Zealand has no native wasps that are attracted to this bait, so native species won’t be harmed.”

Research has also shown the bait does not affect honeybees.

Vespex has low toxicity to mammals and birds.

The active ingredient, fipronil, is used in higher concentrations in pet flea and tick treatments.

The bait will be placed in stations where hornets collect it and roll it into small balls.

They then carry it back to nests, where it poisons other hornets.

From mid-March, bait stations will be set in the response “B” and “C” Zones.

These are surveillance areas furthest from where hornets are being detected on Auckland’s North Shore.

“We’re targeting these outer areas first to destroy any hornets that have so far evaded traps or sightings by the public. This gives us an extra layer of insurance.”

Vespex will later be used in the central “A” Zone where hornets are concentrated.

For now, response teams are tracking hornets to nests using visual inspections and radio trackers.

A new drone-based thermal imaging method has also been used to locate nests.

Using the technology over a suspected area recently led to the discovery of a secondary nest.

The yellow-legged hornet is a biosecurity concern due to its potential impact on honeybee and wild bee populations.

It primarily feeds on bees, wasps, and flies. It may compete with native insects and birds for food, and it has a painful sting.

Biosecurity New Zealand says the response is guided by science and advice from technical experts with experience managing yellow-legged hornets overseas.

“The yellow-legged hornet response is progressing well, and the end goal remains eradication, which is considered feasible.”

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