Asian hornet threatens Saxony-Anhalt: nests discovered!

Asian hornet threatens Saxony-Anhalt: nests discovered!

A worrying phenomenon is spreading across Germany: the Asian hornet has now also found its way into Saxony-Anhalt Borken newspaper reported. The chairman of the Saxony-Anhalt Beekeepers Association, Paul Schenk, confirms the discovery of nests in the region and warns of the potential dangers of this invasive species. The hornet is not only notorious for its aggressive stings, which are more unpleasant than those of bees, but it also poses a serious threat to the local ecosystem as it eats a wide variety of insects.

The Asian hornet has been detected in Germany since 2014 and has been spreading continuously since then. On average, this species covers a distance of around 78 kilometers annually and is particularly widespread in the southwest and west of the country, along the Rhine. The first nests were spotted in Saxony-Anhalt, for example in Colbitz near Magdeburg. What's particularly alarming is that the hornet can also appear in flat areas, as Schenk notes.

Threat to humans and insects

The dangers posed by the Asian hornet are diverse. Allergy sufferers in particular should not be careless when stung, as this can result in serious health problems, including shortness of breath and, in the worst case, organ failure. Those too People's voice highlights the importance of reporting stings promptly as they can be potentially life-threatening. This species of hornet, which usually roosts in tall trees or hedges, also contributes to the threat to local honey bee colonies as it uses them as a food source.

A worrying development is the growth of the nests, which are often round, large and up to one meter high. A study by Bianca Duventäster, a wasp and hornet consultant, shows that there has been a sharp increase in nests since 2014. Around 1,700 nests were reported in Baden-Württemberg alone this year. The nests are even found in garden sheds, hedges and children's playgrounds.

Problem of nest removal

Removing these nests is proving to be a challenge. The cost of professionally removing a nest can be up to 5,000 euros, and often the removal is unsuccessful due to a lack of responsibility. The State Office for the Environment sees an urgent need for action and is calling for political support to combat the Asian hornet, which has now been detected not only in Saxony-Anhalt, but also in Schleswig-Holstein and other parts of Germany, according to a report by the NDR also emphasized.

The Asian hornet originally spread from Southeast Asia through southern France to Europe in 2004 and has since posed an alarming threat to native species and public safety. Experts strongly advise against attempting to remove nests yourself, as confusion with protected species such as the European hornet can easily occur.

It is to be hoped that appropriate measures will be taken quickly to contain the spread of this invasive species. The longer it remains unattended, the more it could endanger the local ecosystem.