Asian hornet in Saxony-Anhalt: First sighting alarms beekeepers!

Asian hornet in Saxony-Anhalt: First sighting alarms beekeepers!

Recently, an invasive species, the Asian hornet, has become increasingly widespread and is now causing a stir in Germany. As Meetingpoint Magdeburg reports, the first specimens were discovered in the Börde district in Saxony-Anhalt. This is the first discovery in this region, while previously only sightings were documented in Berlin.

The Asian hornet, also known as Vespa velutina, has been spreading across Europe for around 20 years. Originally from Asia, it probably came to France via imported goods and has since spread to numerous European countries. While six confirmed sightings were detected in Germany in June 2023, 16 sightings were recorded in the first three weeks of June 2024, as Deutschlandfunk reports.

Characteristics and behavior

The Asian hornet differs significantly from the European hornet, which has a reddish-brown-black chest section and reddish-brown legs. In contrast, the Asian hornet has an entirely black chest section and black legs with yellow feet. Their diet is primarily focused on sugary tree fluids and insects for breeding, which leads to frequent attacks on honey bees. The animals often attack beehives directly and kill them in flight.

• Europäische Hornisse: rotbraun-schwarzer Brustabschnitt, rotbraune Beine.
• Asiatische Hornisse: schwarzer Brustabschnitt, schwarze Beine mit gelben Füßen.

Asian hornet nests are often hidden in treetops, making visibility and control difficult. The nests are founded in spring in protected places, and from July they are relocated to large, free-hanging nests. The State Office for Nature calls on citizens to report all sightings and suspected nests. It is not advisable to remove these nests yourself; This should be done by expert pest controllers as the hornets can react aggressively if disturbed.

Impact on nature

The broader presence of the Asian hornet not only impacts honeybee population dynamics, but also bumblebee populations in Europe. A study has shown that the dark bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), commonly found in Europe, is better able to defend itself against attacks by Asian hornets. However, with frequent incidents, bumblebees may face difficulties as their growth is slowed. Possible reasons for this could be the high energy expenditure required to defend against the hornets, as ZDF today states.

According to the nature conservation authorities, no increased health risk from the Asian hornet has been identified so far. Nevertheless, it is emphasized that citizens should report sightings and for documentation purposes via an online portal. A photo is necessary to verify the sighting. The Saxony-Anhalt State Office is in contact with the EU Commission to continue monitoring the spread of this invasive species.

The developments surrounding the Asian hornet show that the issue of environmental protection and dealing with invasive species is of great importance. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming years and what impact the hornet will have on local ecosystems.