Biosecurity New Zealand has removed another yellow legged hornet and its nest in the past week.

The queen hornet was found in the Auckland suburb of Glenfield.

It takes the tally to seven including five queens and two males.

Authorities say another queen and two males are also suspected, but not confirmed, based on photographs provided by members of the public.

In response, Biosecurity New Zealand has increased the amount of traps on Auckland's North Shore from 120 to 142.

North Commissioner Mike Inglis said these traps would trial protein-based baits over the summer months when hornet activity was expected to rise.

"We increased the traps mainly because we want to trial new traps as we move to the next stage which will be putting out protein-based traps if indeed there is any worker bees but we're still focused on the queens."

They had also assembled a Technical Advisory Group of independent scientific experts, he said.

It was positive that the hornet discoveries remained limited to Auckland's North Shore, Inglis said.

Members of the public were urged to report suspected hornets or nests, but only if they had a specimen, a clear photo, or had located a possible nest.

Inglis said there had been cases of people posting pictures of previously discovered hornets on social media and claiming it was a new discovery which was why they could not just use photographs to confirm a discovery.

"We encourage people to notify us of finds and we'll come to try to collect a sample."

There had been more than 2500 public notifications to date, he said.

Reports can be made at report.mpi.govt.nz or by calling Biosecurity New Zealand's exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966.

This story was originally published by RNZ