Asian hornet threatens Lower Saxony: beekeepers on alert!

Asian hornet threatens Lower Saxony: beekeepers on alert!

The invasive Asian hornet, more precisely the species Vespa velutina, has caused increasing excitement since it was first detected in Lower Saxony in 2023. In the following year, 2024, the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation (NLWKN) received over 100 sighting reports. This not only makes beekeepers in the region nervous, but also raises questions about the safety of our native honey bees. The concern is not unfounded as the hornet is known to prey on bees and other insects.

In order to urgently address the problem, the Environment and Agriculture Ministry invited representatives of beekeeping associations and the Institute of Bee Science to an exchange of information. It became clear here that the hornet not only represents a challenge for beekeepers, but also for biodiversity as a whole. Vespa velutina has been spreading since 2014 and has been on the EU list of invasive species since 2016. However, complete elimination of the hornet seems illusory, which is why prevention and informing the public now play a major role. The NLWKN appeals to beekeepers to report sightings and nests so that appropriate management measures can be taken to better control the situation.

Management measures and public participation

A crucial point in the fight against invasive species such as the Asian hornet are the management measures established on the basis of EU Regulation No. 1143/2014. These regulate how Member States must respond to the increase in such species in order to minimize impacts on biodiversity, human health and the economy. The public has the opportunity to actively participate in the preparation and revision of these measures. There have already been several style-forming time windows for commenting, and the next opportunity is between October 9th and December 11th, 2023. During this time, objections can be submitted to influence future strategies. For the next round, this applies to the Asian hornet as well as other species such as water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes).

The alarming spread of the Asian hornet is part of a larger problem. In Germany there are estimated to be around 900 established neobiota species, which corresponds to around 1% of the total 74,000 species. The largest group of these neobiota are plants (neophytes), followed by invertebrates and vertebrates (neozoans). The increasing number of invasive species is closely linked to the increase in global trade and transport over the last 170 years. Many of these species are poorly recorded, especially lower plants and fungi.

However, beekeeping associations emphasize that there is no reason to panic. Reports of alleged “killer hornets” have not been confirmed by scientific studies. Rather, hornets, like honeybees, sting primarily for defense. The consensus among those involved is clear: the Asian hornet can no longer be eliminated in Lower Saxony, which is why dealing with the situation objectively and based on facts is the main challenge. We are all called upon to overcome this challenge together.

The next steps are ahead and it is up to the community to provide the right support to help beekeepers and the environment coexist. In this sense, it will be exciting to see how the strategy around the Vespa velutina will develop and what role the population will play in it.

Find out more about the situation and help actively: reports of sightings can be made via an official platform or directly to the NLWKN. Let’s work together to protect our nature and local wildlife.