Red alert: Asian hornets are spreading in Schleswig-Holstein!

Red alert: Asian hornets are spreading in Schleswig-Holstein!

Invasive species are wreaking havoc in more and more German regions, and the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) in particular is in the public eye. Sightings have recently been reported from Schleswig-Holstein, with reports from Lübeck and Tielen in the Schleswig-Flensburg district. This pest, which has now gained a foothold in Germany since it was introduced in 2004 via goods transported from Southeast Asia to France, is spreading inexorably there. Mercury reports that immigration is now considered irreversible. The hornet differs visually from our native hornet in its darker coloring and distinctive yellow feet.

These insects are not aggressive, but you should be careful. Although their stings are more painful than those of the European hornet, they are less toxic. The spread is favored by the climate crisis, which, combined with the fact that the Asian hornet has hardly any natural enemies, is threatening to the local flora and fauna. Loud ZDF The hornet appears to pose a great danger to bee colonies, especially because of its preference for insects and spiders. This has negative effects on pollination and therefore also on agriculture.

Biodiversity and beekeeping

The Asian hornet now enjoys a permanent place in the flora and fauna of several federal states such as Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. Dr. Manfred Verhaagh, an entomologist from Karlsruhe, has been studying the effects of hornets on biodiversity since 2014. Regions affected by beekeeping report serious losses in their beekeeping. In France, hornets are already responsible for 20 to 50% of honey bee deaths, which could also be important here Euronews highlights.

The hornet reaches a body size of between 1.7 and 2.4 cm, making it larger than a wasp but smaller than the native hornet. It often builds its nests in sheds or roller shutter boxes and moves to lofty heights in the treetops in midsummer. These nests, which are handball-sized in their early stages, can later grow enormously and require professional removal if discovered on private property. Experiments on your own are not recommended.

Measures and outlook

The EU classified the Asian hornet as an invasive species in 2018, which entails comprehensive control measures. In particularly affected federal states such as Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia, there are already reporting platforms to document nests. It is recommended that you leave them alone until professionals arrive. In France, national control plans have been introduced, but despite all efforts, the hornet population continues to grow.

The growing presence of this species of hornet is not only a problem for beekeepers, but also a sign of the changes that the ecosystem is undergoing due to invasive species. Research into new trapping systems that use pheromones, for example, could help regulate populations in the long term. Eric Darrouzet, a researcher at the University of Tours, predicts an annual spread of 60 to 80 km - a sign that there is still a long way to go.