Red alarm level: Asian hornets spreads out in the Rhein-Erft district

Red alarm level: Asian hornets spreads out in the Rhein-Erft district

The spread of the Asian hornets in the Rhein-Erft district

The Asian hornets (Vespa Velutina) has become a worrying topic in the Rhein-Erft-Kreis region in recent months. The insects are spreading not only in rural areas, but also in urban surroundings, which has an impact on both nature and residents.

first encounters and dangers

In July last year, it was found that three nests of the Asian hornets in the circle have already been discovered. This type of insect, which was originally introduced by goods imports from Asia, has a size of about 2.5 to 3 centimeters and is therefore somewhat smaller than the domestic hornets (Vespa Crabro). It becomes particularly dangerous when people get carelessly close to a building, as the hornets are sensitive to approaches below two meters. An incident in which a conservationist suffered two hornet stings during the removal of a nest illustrates the risks associated with this invasive species.

important knowledge for the population

In cooperation with Thomas Beißel, a specialist for hornets, the district administration informed local beekeepers and other affected groups about the situation. It was made clear that the Asian hornets lived primarily from other insects, including honeybees, and thus a competition for domestic species.

nature conservation and recommendations for action

In order to effectively combat the spread of Asian hornets, the district administration asks the citizens to be careful. In particular, people who discover a nest or an Asian hornet should take photos and send them together with precise location information to the authority. Under no circumstances should you try to eliminate a nest yourself. The district administration also offers support from illustrations for the identification of the Asian hornets to avoid confusion with domestic species.

The meaning for the region

The spread of Asian hornets not only shows the challenges in nature conservation, but also the effects of global trade flows to local ecosystems. This is a growing problem that is observed in many regions of the world. For the residents, this means that they have to actively inform themselves about the topic and pay attention to potential dangers.

Overall, the Asian hornet is an example of how invasive species can disturb the balance of domestic ecosystems. It will be important to strengthen the community-based reaction and to promote the dialogue between experts, conservationists and the population in order to meet these challenges together