Alarm in the Peine district: Asian hornets are nesting for the first time!

Alarm in the Peine district: Asian hornets are nesting for the first time!

Today in the Peine district a great deal of attention is being drawn to the Asian hornet, which has caused a stir in recent days. For the first time, two nests of the invasive insect species were detected in this region. This fascinating but worrying species originally comes from Southeast Asia and probably found its way to Europe by sea. Since its first sighting in Germany in 2014, when it was discovered in Karlsruhe, Rhineland-Palatinate, it has spread rapidly, causing great concern for experts. That's what she reports Press service about the recently discovered nests that were located in a walnut tree on Akazienstrasse and in a linden tree on Gunzelinstrasse. In the last week of October 2025, these nests were removed by a professional pest controller and handed over to the Braunschweig Natural History Museum for preparation.

Underestimated threat

The Asian hornet, also known as Vespa velutina nigrithorax, is characterized by its dark colored chest and bright yellow face with orange-yellow forehead markings. Its yellow feet give it the popular name “Asian yellow-footed hornet”. Compared to the native European hornet, it is darker, with the last third of its abdomen being yellow-orange. The workers reach a body length of up to 2.5 cm, while the queens can even grow up to 3 cm. These hornets are primarily active during the day, while the European variety occasionally hunts at night, like this Federal Environment Agency informed.

Concern about the hornet is not unfounded: it is a feared predator of honey bees and can eat up to 11 kilograms of insects per year in a single nest. Could this harm local beekeepers? Definitely! More and more beekeepers are reporting a decline in their bee colonies. The number of nests discovered in Germany has increased significantly, particularly in the last two years. Baden-Württemberg is not an exceptional case in this regard, where the number has almost tripled Eco test.

A SOMETHING DANGEROUS EVIDENCE

The Asian hornet has been on the European Commission's Union list of invasive species since 2016. Earlier this year it was officially recognized as an established species in Germany, meaning there is no longer any reporting requirement. As a result, nature conservation authorities are no longer obliged to take action against the increasing number of pests. Despite this new regulation, Asian hornet sightings should still be reported to the relevant authorities in order to keep an overview of the population.

Another important detail: The hornet is not naturally aggressive, but defends its nests with vehemence. This makes combating it difficult and requires trained specialists, as improper measures could endanger protected species. In addition, the use of decoy traps is viewed critically as they can also pose a danger to other insect species.

Conclusion – Keep a watchful eye

The developments surrounding the Asian hornet remain exciting. At a time when many species are changing due to climate change, we must be vigilant and aware of the potential dangers and risks of these new neighbors in our own backyard. The next time you spot an unusual insect bite or nest, it's a good idea to not only keep your eyes open, but also talk to the professionals. Because a good hand in handling this topic can avoid many problems!