On October 17, 2025, the yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, was discovered in Auckland, the capital of New Zealand, with five confirmed detections to date. Two small nests were discovered about one mile apart, suggesting that the hornet is established with other nests still to be found. It is believed they have not yet moved outside Auckland. Biosecurity New Zealand has laid over 135 traps. The key to success in any eradication programme is acting early, while populations are still small and localized, and beekeepers and the public are asked to report any sightings.
Yellow-legged hornets are aggressive predators and threaten the bee population, people’s health, and biodiversity. The yellow-legged hornet broke European quarantine and was introduced into France in 2004, likely via boat. It then spread rapidly, at around 60 miles per year, and was established across France and elsewhere in Europe by 2017.
One European study found that 40% of their prey were honey bees, 30% flies, and the remainder included other wasps and pollinators. In some highly-infested regions of Europe, beekeepers have reported losses of up to 80% of their hives once yellow-legged hornets became established, although typical losses in Europe attributable to the hornet are around 30%. The New Zealand landscape and climate is similar to much of France, ensuring that the hornet could easily become endemic if it breaks quarantine around Auckland.
