The World’s Biggest Airports Confront a Tiny but Serious Safety Threat — Wasps
Airport in Australia believes it can stop the wasps from nesting in crucial aircraft components
By Mike Cherney/The Wall Street Journal
Airport Excellence Awards
Innovation Award – November 2022
Winner: Brisbane Airport
Brazilian Keyhole Wasps given no-fly orders around Brisbane Airport
Brisbane Airport: Brazilian Keyhole Wasps given no-fly orders around Brisbane Airport
The Brazilian Keyhole Wasp is a significant risk to aviation safety around the world. This introduced predatory wasp builds its nests in small cavities (such as aircraft pitot probes) and provisions them with paralysed caterpillars collected from the managed grassland areas. Since 2010 wasp numbers have increased dramatically at Brisbane Airport with more than 26 wasp-related aircraft safety incidents. The IVM Program uses a natural insecticide found in the bark of a tree in South America, implemented in collaboration with our consulting partner the IVM Group, and has recorded remarkable success, watched on by the world.