Update on the situation of the Asian hornet Vespa velutina in Europe
Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae – EU IAS of concern) is a hornet of Asian origin and a predator of social insects, including honey bees (Apis mellifera), that has been introduced to the EPPO region. It was first reported in France in 2005 (EPPO RS 2007/197) and has since spread to Italy (EPPO RS 2013/168), Spain and Portugal (EPPO RS 2015/075), the United Kingdom (EPPO RS 2016/208) and Belgium (EPPO RS 2017/145).
Since the last report, V. velutina has been reported for the first time in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Slovakia. In all instances, either hitchhiking on transportation or natural spread are the suggested introduction pathways.
- Austria (2024)
In April 2024, a single female queen hornet was observed in Salzburg, Salzburg State, Austria.
- Czechia (2023)
A single specimen was reported to the regional phytosanitary service by a local beekeeper. During an official survey, 30 individuals and a nest were found throughout October 2023 in Pilsen city (West Bohemia). The nest was destroyed. In February 2024, five queens were intercepted on wooden slats on a truck originating from France in Hrádek u Rokycan (West Bohemia).
- Hungary (2023)
In August 2023, several worker hornets were observed in an apiary in Kimle village, Győr-Moson-Sopron County.
- Ireland (2021)
In April 2021, a single female specimen, found dying, was observed in Dublin, Eastern and Midland region. This is considered to be an interception of V. velutina only.
- Luxembourg (2020)
In September 2020, 24 worker hornets and four nests were observed in Junglinster, southern Luxembourg.
- The Netherlands (2017)
Throughout September 2017 several specimens were observed across five locations in Dreischor (Shouwen-Duiveland, Zeeland province), after which a nest was found and destroyed.
- Slovakia (2024)
Between September and October 2024, 35 worker hornets were observed in a private garden in Palárikovo (Nové Zámky district, Slovakia). In October, the nest was found and destroyed.
Sources
Anonymous (2021) Invasive species alert for Asian hornet. National Biodiversity Data Centre press release. Accessed at: https://biodiversityireland.ie/asian-hornet-alert/
Dillane E, Hayden R, O'Hanlon A, Butler F, Harrison S (2022) The first recorded occurrence of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) in Ireland, genetic evidence for a continued single invasion across Europe. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 93, 131-138. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.93.91209
Ries C, Schneider N, Vitali F, Weigand A (2021) First records and distribution of the invasive alien hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax du Buysson, 1905 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123, 181-193.
Márta T, Vas Z (2023) First record of Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1836 from Hungary (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Folia Entomologica Hungarica-Rovartani Közlemények 84, 105-108, https://doi.org/10.17112/FoliaEntHung.2023.84.105
Purkart A, Semelbauer M, Šima P, Lukáš J, Hoffner S, Fedor P, Senko D (2025) First records of invasive Vespa velutina nigrithorax Buysson, 1905 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and Megachile sculpturalis Smith, 1853 (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Slovakia. Biologia80, 549–559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-024-01850-y
Schorkopf DLP, Steube C, Pisecker G, Morawetz L (2024) First record of the Asian Yellow-Legged Hornet (Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1836) in Austria. Entomologica Austriaca 32, 1-12 https://www.entomologie.org/publikationen/2/baende/64
Smit J, van de Roer RC, Fontein R, de Wilde AH (2017) Eerste vondst van de Aziatische hoornaar Vespa velutina nigrithorax in Nederland (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Nederlandse Faunistische Mededelingen49, 1–10 https://natuurtijdschriften.nl/pub/1002443
Walter J, Görner T, Šulda L, Bureš J, Myslík Z, Milička R, Bartoňová AS, Beneš P, Biemann O, Brus J (2024) First Czech record of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) and a climatic prediction of its spread in the Czech Republic. BioInvasions Records 13, 607-620, https://doi.org/10. 3391/bir.2024.13.3.04