54587 (2025). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity

54587 (2025). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity: What, if any, extrapolation can he provide regarding the expected growth rate of the yellow-legged hornet population, based on the recent increase from 7 to 15 queens over the past week, and how is this informing, if at all, future management and control efforts?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: I am advised that it is not possible to determine the growth of the yellow-legged hornet population based on the detection of queens alone. The queens being caught now represent those that successfully over-wintered and are now beginning to build their embryo nest and therefore becoming detectable in the area. The increase in the number of detections is indicative of the life cycle of the hornet at this time and the increased surveillance being undertaken. Field collected data informs decision-making in the response and we are confident that our current approach to eradicating V. velutina from New Zealand is appropriate, a view supported by the independent Technical Advisory Group.