Biosecurity New Zealand is asking people to keep an eye out for yellow-legged hornets over the holiday period, as its Auckland response shifts into summer mode and prepares to trial live trackers on hornets to locate nests.

“We’ve had a great response from the public so far, with more than 6,870 notifications, and our team will be working over the holiday season as we continue to track and eradicate the hornet,” said Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand’s commissioner north.

To date, the operation has located 38 queen hornets, 25 of which have been found with nests. Crews have completed more than 6,540 ground surveys across the North Shore, and more than 780 traps are now set in a ring extending up to 11km from the detections in Glenfield and Birkdale.

Inglis said the team expects more hornets to be found over the next few months and is prepared for that, drawing on advice from international specialists. Visiting hornet experts from the United Kingdom are due next month to help attach advanced trackers to captured hornets so they can be followed back to nests. Short trial footage of the technology, developed in the Netherlands, has been released.

“As the weather warms, hornets can start to make bigger nests high up in trees and this technology will help us find and destroy them alongside our continuing surveillance on the ground,” Inglis said.

Biosecurity New Zealand wants to hear from anyone who thinks they have a hornet specimen, a possible nest, or a clear photo. People are asked to include their location when reporting.

Sightings and information can be provided to MPI on 0800 008 333 or via info@mpi.govt.nz. Media enquiries: 029 894 0328 or BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz. Further updates will be provided as the summer response continues.