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The battlelines have been drawn in Biosecurity New Zealand's war against the yellow-legged hornet, but there's some suggestion they should be widened before a population takes hold.
Currently, trapping has been extended out to a five kilometre radius around the concentration of the hornet detections in Auckland's Glenfield and Birkdale, using a combination of carbohydrate and protein traps.
To date, there have been 29 confirmed queen hornets found (based on specimens), according to Biosecurity New Zealand.
The agency said 19 of the 29 confirmed queen hornets were found with either developed nests or evidence of nesting.
Additionally, seven worker hornets were found in nests.
Northland conservationist Brad Windust said authorities need to look at casting
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