More predator hornets found in Auckland, total of queens now 9

Yellow-legged hornets feed on bees and other insects. Photo / Ministry for Primary Industries

Two more hornet nests have been found in Auckland - one the size of a cricket ball and both containing queens.

In an update this afternoon, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) confirmed biosecurity staff made the discovery at a property in Glenfield, North Shore.

They were found about 100m apart and in the same area as other hornets found earlier.

Biosecurity NZ northern commissioner, Mike Inglis, said the increased surveillance on the ground showed the approach was working.

One of two new hornet nests found in Glenfield, on Auckland's North Shore. Photo / MPI

“One nest was more developed and contained a queen, two worker hornets and two adults which were about [to] emerge.

“The other nest was less developed and contained a queen.”

That nest was the size of a golf ball, authorities said.

More than 120 people are taking part in the response, with more than 180 traps set as part of the searches .

The ground searches have involved visual inspections of common nesting sites such as trees, fencelines and roof eaves.

Biosecurity NZ staff have been hanging traps in areas near where bee-eating Asian yellow-legged hornet queens were detected in the Auckland suburbs of Glenfield and neighbouring Birkdale. Photos / Biosecurity NZ

The searches will expand to include local parks and reserves next week.

The latest finds take the total number of queen hornets found in Auckland to nine. The first queen hornet was found building a nest in mid-October.

Authorities continue to urge members of the public to report any suspected hornets or nests. However, people are being asked to report only if they have a specimen, a clear photo or have located a possible nest.

“Public interest remains high, with more than 2000 notifications received so far,” MPI says.

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