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Thursday, December 26, 2024

These insects may pose a threat to bees. Giant hornets came to Europe from Asia

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Vespa soror – the southern giant hornet comes from Asia. Its natural environment includes areas including: India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and partly China. Spanish researchers they statedthat the four specimens they found in the north of the country could have reached Europe by accident – e.g. in a shipment.

Watch the video The largest species of hornet in the world has appeared in the USA

A dangerous hornet has appeared in Europe. Should we be afraid of him?

The southern giant hornet is one of the largest members of the wasp family, although it is still smaller than the Asian giant hornet. The body length of the workers ranges from 26 to 35 mm, while the queens measure from 39 to even 46 mm. The nests of these hornets are most often found underground, in forest areas.

Importantly, Vespa soror, apart from the possibility of a painful sting, should not pose a serious threat to humans. However, they are still predators that hunt, among others: for bees, wasps, smaller hornets, praying mantises, dragonflies, butterflies, grasshoppers, and even small vertebrates such as geckos.

Experts warn and recommend exterminating insects

The work of Spanish researchers emphasized that if the southern hornets invaded Europe, we would primarily experience serious losses in honey bee colonies. “If this species becomes widespread in northern Spain, it could become a problem,” experts said. In their opinion, the first element of effective insect control is removing nests immediately after they are detected.

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As we have already mentioned, finding hornet habitats can be a challenge. “Some nests are located quite close to the surface, just a few centimeters underground, but others are deep underground, with one or more tunnels that can be 60 cm long or more,” the researchers added.



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