Scientists at the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao are planning to conduct environmental DNA sampling of freshwater in Auckland to help detect yellow-legged hornet presence.

Biosecurity New Zealand is leading work to eradicate the invasive pest, with no new detections since April. Spring is expected to present a new phase in the biosecurity response, with any mated queens that may have evaded eradication efforts to date expected to emerge from winter hibernation.

To support the response, two new Bioeconomy Science Institute research projects are getting underway this month, building on four additional research projects that were announced earlier this year.

 
Bioeconomy Science Institute entomologist Andrew Pugh, who is leading the freshwater eDNA project, says the approach is similar to wastewater testing for Covid-19 presence, which many New Zealanders are familiar with.

“We are essentially leveraging waterways as natural collectors of genetic material. Even insects that aren’t aquatic shed cells, tissues, and biological material into the environment, which can be detected through eDNA testing,” says Pugh.

Water samples will be collected from a range of sites around Auckland’s North Shore, focused on streams and small waterways.

“This technology has successfully detected pest wasps so we know it works, but what makes this research exciting is this will be the first time eDNA testing has been used in a New Zealand biosecurity insect incursion response.”