Kiwi wasp bait technology, Vespex, is being trialed to combat Auckland's hornet invasion. Developed by Nelson-based entomologist Richard Toft, Vespex is a protein-based bait that contains 0.1 percent fipronil, a neonicotinoid insecticide. It's designed to be highly attractive to wasps, which take it back to the nest, resulting in the destruction of the nest. The bait is specifically formulated to not impact bees or native insects and birds. Vespex has been used extensively in New Zealand for wasp control, including by the Department of Conservation, in both small and large-scale programs. The timing of the deployment of Vespex in the yellow-legged hornet response is critical. It's deployed at a point in the life cycle where yellow-legged hornets favor more protein-based food sources, and it's essential to have live hornets in the environment to facilitate eradication. Ground operations are currently working to find and destroy nests on Auckland's North Shore, where 51 confirmed queen hornets and 61 nests have been identified. Vespex is manufactured and sold by Nelson company Merchento, of which Toft is the director.
