Asian hornet: Red alert for Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony!

Asian hornet: Red alert for Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony!

The Asian hornet is becoming increasingly widespread in Germany, and recent sightings in Schleswig-Holstein are worrying not only beekeepers but also conservationists. Loud Mercury There have already been several reports in Lower Saxony, while the first sightings have now been confirmed in Lübeck and Tielen (Schleswig-Flensburg district). Rainer Borcherding from BUND and Carsten Pusch from NABU gained an overview of the differences to the native hornet: the Asian hornet is smaller, has a darker body and striking yellow feet.

Originally from Southeast Asia, the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) was introduced to France in 2004 via goods transport. Since then, it has spread inexorably across Europe - a process that is considered irreversible. What is particularly alarming is that the hornet population in Germany is growing at a rapid pace. “In midsummer, the hornets move to higher nests in treetops, where they pose a massive threat to our native insect populations,” warns Dr. Manfred Verhaagh, an entomologist at the Karlsruhe Natural History Museum. ZDF Today reports on the threat that the Asian hornet poses to biodiversity - it has hardly any natural enemies and can reproduce without restrictions.

The impact on beekeeping

The impact on beekeeping is enormous. Asian hornets have a strong hunger for insects, which is particularly harmful to bee colonies. According to a study published in German Beekeepers Association published, these hornets eat almost every species of insect they encounter on flowers - including honey bees, bumblebees and many other pollinators. “Such impacts not only endanger beekeepers, but also the entire pollination performance in our ecosystems,” emphasizes the beekeepers’ association. Dwindling pollinator populations have far-reaching consequences for agriculture and biodiversity.

The EU added the Asian hornet to the invasive species list in 2018. Member States are required to take measures to combat this species. In many federal states, including Baden-Württemberg, there are already reporting platforms for hornet nests in order to take early action against the spread. Nests should be reported to the lower conservation authorities, ideally with a photo. Attempts to remove nests yourself are not only dangerous, but often ineffective.

Caution is advised!

The Asian hornet is not aggressive and usually does not attack people as long as you do not get too close to the nest. Their stings are more painful but less toxic than those of their European relatives. However, caution is advised, especially for allergy sufferers, as they can also cause severe reactions. “The nests should be professionally removed as they are initially the size of a handball in the primary stage and can later become significantly larger in large trees,” explains Verhaagh. The situation is not just worrying for beekeepers - urban nests in residential areas can also pose a health risk.

A combination of responsible professional disposal and raising public awareness will be crucial in the future in order to contain the further spread of the Asian hornet and its negative impact on our ecosystem. There's something for all nature lovers and beekeepers!