For several years, the Asian hornet has worried beekeepers, farmers, and nature lovers. Invasive and formidable, it attacks bees and disrupts the balance of our ecosystems. But what exactly are the consequences of the proliferation of Asian hornets?
The Asian hornet, a predator from elsewhere
Originating from Southeast Asia, the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) accidentally arrived in France in the early 2000s. Highly adaptable, it quickly settled over a large part of the territory. It is recognized by its dark brown thorax, yellow legs, and orange-ringed abdomen.
Unlike the European hornet, the Asian hornet is a formidable predator of domestic bees. It hunts in flight and captures foragers at the hive entrance, causing heavy losses in colonies.
A direct impact on bees
The proliferation of the Asian hornet has dramatic consequences for hives:
- It hunts the bees in flight or at the hive entrance,
- It captures, cuts up them and brings them back to its nest to feed its larvae,
- It disturbs the foragers, who no longer dare to go out and end up dying from stress or exhaustion.
A bee colony can thus be decimated in a few weeks. For beekeepers, this means a significant drop in honey production and, sometimes, the total loss of the hive.
A danger to biodiversity
The Asian hornet doesn’t just attack bees: it also captures other pollinating insects like butterflies, flies, or wasps. Its massive presence disrupts food chains and threatens local biodiversity.
Fewer pollinators means:
- Less natural pollination of fruits, vegetables, and flowers,
- Less agricultural harvests,
- A global weakening of ecosystems.
A major challenge for beekeeping
Beekeepers must redouble their efforts to protect their hives:
- Setting up Asian hornet traps in spring,
- Installation of hornet-proof screens at hive entrances,
- Regular monitoring of colonies,
- Cooperation with local authorities to destroy nests.
All these actions require extra time, energy, and resources. The Asian hornet has become a major issue for sustainable beekeeping in France.
What can we do on our scale?
Even without being a beekeeper, everyone can contribute to the fight against the Asian hornet:
- Locate and report nests (often spherical, located high up in trees),
- Install selective traps in spring, when the founders come out of hibernation,
- Plant hedges and flowers to provide refuges for pollinators,
- Support beekeepers by buying local and committed honey.
Learn more about how to save the bees
Acting for the bees means acting for the planet
The spread of the Asian hornet is a serious threat to bees, honey production, but also to biodiversity as a whole. At Miel Factory, we believe that knowledge is the first weapon against this scourge.
By protecting bees, we protect life. Let's continue to inform, act, and support those who keep the hives alive every day.