SOP · BIOSECURITY
Invasive Hornet Intercept & Quarantine
ActiveBiosecurityRev D
Purpose
To govern the interception, containment, and quarantine of invasive predatory hornets that threaten managed and wild pollinator populations. The procedure guarantees that a captured specimen never escapes, that live specimens are held under negative-pressure containment, and that no nest is disturbed without confirmed identification — because a single escaped foundress can establish a new front against pollinators across a region.
Scope
All invasive hornet interception and quarantine operations.
In scope:
- Specimen interception and live capture
- Negative-pressure quarantine containment
- Identification confirmation before nest action
- Specimen disposition and reporting
Out of scope:
- Facility zoning and entry control, which follows SOP Facility Biosecurity Zoning & Entry
- Pesticide use in nest treatment, which follows SOP Pesticide/Neonicotinoid Sampling Chain
Definitions
Foundress
A mated invasive hornet queen capable of establishing a new nest if she escapes containment.
Negative-Pressure Containment
A holding enclosure kept below ambient pressure so any leak flows inward, never out.
Confirmed Identification
A two-source morphological or genetic confirmation of an invasive species before any nest action.
Escape Event
Any breach of containment, triggering immediate facility lockdown and recapture protocol.
Responsibilities
Biosecurity Lead (Owner)
Owns the procedure; verifies containment integrity and authorizes nest action.
Intercept Operative
Executes live capture and transfers specimens to negative-pressure containment without breach.
HIVE-13 Science Board
Confirms species identification and prescribes the disposition protocol.
MELISSA
Monitors containment pressure in real time and triggers lockdown on any below-spec reading or escape event.
Procedure
Intercept
- Capture specimens alive into a sealed transfer vessel; never an open container.
- Confirm the transfer vessel seal before moving the specimen.
- Transport directly to the quarantine facility without intermediate stops.
Quarantine
- Transfer the specimen into negative-pressure containment; verify the inward gradient first.
- Hold the specimen under continuous MELISSA pressure monitoring.
- On any escape event, trigger facility lockdown and execute the recapture protocol immediately.
Identification & Disposition
- Confirm species identification from two sources before authorizing any nest action.
- Dispose of specimens only by the Science Board–prescribed protocol.
- Report every confirmed invasive interception to the regional pollinator-defense registry within 24 hours.
PPE & Controls
Reinforced sting-proof suit rated for predatory hornetsSealed-visor hoodDouble-gauntlet glovesSealed transfer vessels for live capture
Records Generated
- Interception record with location and species (retained 7 years)
- Containment pressure trace per specimen
- Identification confirmation from two sources
- Disposition and regional-registry report
References
- SOP: Facility Biosecurity Zoning & Entry
- SOP: MELISSA Alarm Triage & Escalation
- SOP: Pesticide/Neonicotinoid Sampling Chain
- Regional Pollinator-Defense Invasive Species Registry Protocol
Revision History
| Rev | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A | 2089-01-25 | Initial issue; live-capture and sealed-transfer rules established. |
| B | 2089-09-30 | Added negative-pressure containment requirement. |
| C | 2090-08-11 | Added two-source identification before nest action and lockdown protocol. |
| D | 2091-03-01 | MELISSA real-time pressure monitoring and escape-event lockdown formalized. |