New Zealand hunts surviving hornets to secure eradication
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New Zealand officials are now focused on finding any yellow-legged hornets that survived the winter, after investing over NZ$12 million to eliminate the invasive pest.
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and a technical advisory group are cautiously optimistic that the hornets have been eradicated, following the discovery of the last known nest in March and extensive winter surveillance.
However, they recognize that even a single surviving queen could restart the infestation, posing a threat to beekeepers and pollination of important crops like kiwifruit and avocados. Researchers analysed larval faeces from the hornets in Auckland and discovered that honey bees made up almost one-third of their diet, confirming the potential damage to New Zealand’s beekeeping industry.
The analysis also showed the hornets consumed 77 different animal species, and used fibres from native plants like kānuka and tōtara to build their nests. Between October 2025 and March 2026, the MPI captured 77 queens, believed to be from a single surviving nest. Officials are now urging the public to report any suspected sightings of the hornets, as public reports already contributed to defining the extent of the initial infestation and locating nests.
MPI asks anyone who sees a possible hornet to contact them via phone or an online form.
