Source: Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium, Asian hornet (34054657376) (2), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
It is considered to be particularly dangerous and has now been detected in Germany for the first time - the Asian hornet. Photos clearly show that the animals have arrived with us and apparently also feel at home here.
In a nutshell
- Asian hornets are native to East and Southeast Asia
- up to five times larger than our bees, but mostly smaller than our native hornets
- Sting is described as particularly painful and, in extreme cases, can even kill a person
- In the Federal Republic of Germany, their occurrence has so far been limited primarily to northern Germany
An intruder, not a guest
As is so often the case, it was the international movement of goods that brought the hornet to Europe and thus also to Germany. Even if it does not pose a major danger to humans, it is likely to become a problem for beekeepers in particular. They fear that the hornet species could become the enemy of their bees. In addition to the dreaded Varoa mite and the agricultural use of pesticides, a new danger for bee colonies would be lurking. The Asian hornet is therefore perceived by beekeepers as an intruder and not as a guest. It is considered a so-called invasive species throughout Europe.
Notice: Even if it is an invasive species, the animals must not be killed so easily. It is best to consult with the lower nature conservation authority, which is usually located at the district offices.
low occurrence
According to Canadian entomologist John Swann, the Asian hornet is no more dangerous than our native western hornet species. If they do not feel threatened, the animals behave peacefully and are not aggressive. However, if you get too close to their nest, they can quickly attack. So far, only a very small population of the Asian hornet has been discovered in Germany. It is currently spreading primarily in northern Germany. It is assumed that the proximity to the large container ports in Hamburg and Bremerhaven is the reason for this. The hornet species is likely to have come to us by sea as a stowaway in containers.
Source: Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium, Asian hornet (33965402201) (2), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
No killer hornet
Among the Asian hornet species, a distinction must be made between the Asian giant hornet (Vespa Mandarina) and the Asian hornet (Vespa Veluntina). While the former is often labeled as a killer hornet, the latter is largely harmless - as long as they don't feel threatened. All hornets always feel threatened when a person in the nest and thus their offspring gets too close. Asian hornets have a certain fondness for building their nests in treetops. It is usually a paper-like, bulky structure that tends to look brownish, which:
- hangs relatively freely on a larger branch
- constantly surrounded by many adult hornets
- has a clear opening into its interior at the bottom
- frequently changes its shape and size due to permanent additions
Notice: Especially when harvesting fruit trees there is a risk of getting too close to a possible nest. Therefore, an intensive visual inspection from the ground is recommended before harvesting.
frequently asked Questions
How exactly do you recognize an Asian hornet?Asian hornets closely resemble our native species. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their size. The Asian insects are usually significantly smaller than their European counterparts. However, this does not apply to the Asian giant hornet, which has not yet been found in this country.
How dangerous is this hornet species really for humans?A healthy person will feel relatively severe pain from the sting of the hornet, but will otherwise not suffer any damage to their health. A single sting may cause anaphylactic shock, but is otherwise harmless. The situation is different, however, if several stings occur at the same time, i.e. one is attacked by several hornets. Depending on the predisposition, there may well be a risk of death.
Will the Asian giant hornet also find its way here?You have to assume so. In any case, this species is already very widespread in North America and causes great damage to the bee colonies every year. There is a great danger that the giant hornet will also be brought to us by sea and that we will then have similar experiences with the animals as the Americans.
What to do if you discover an Asian hornet's nest?Under no circumstances should you want to remove it yourself, but definitely hire an exterminator to do it. He usually knows exactly how best to proceed and what protective measures are necessary.