Podcast
The yellow-legged hornet – lessons from overseas beekeepers
30 Aug 2026
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Yellow-legged hornets pose a significant threat to honey bee colonies. While New Zealand's biosecurity response efforts are providing reasons for optimism, overseas experience offers important lessons on how colonies, beekeepers and industries adapt when hornets arrive. In this episode of Scigest, scientist and host Andrew Dare speaks to Scientist Dr James Sainsbury, who has recently completed a research project developing a yellow-legged hornet readiness guide for the apiculture industry, to support the current biosecurity response under way in New Zealand. If you think you have seen a yellow-legged hornet please take a photo and contact the MPI hot line on 0800 80 99 66 or email MPI at info@mpi.govt.nz. For more information and to see photos of the hornet please see the MPI information page here: https://bit.ly/4cDr1o4
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Sustainable, resilient food supplyBiosecurity and crop protection
Related people
Dr. James Sainsbury
I am an applied scientist with a drive to create positive impacts for the apiculture industry. I have a PhD in molecular ecology and joined Plant and Food Research in...
Dr. Andrew Dare
Kia ora, I am a molecular biologist and biochemist passionate about improving the chemical composition of fruit to benefit human health and wellness . My research focuses on understanding the...