The Asian hornet, or Vespa velutina, is an invasive species in western Europe that is also known by the name “Asian predatory wasp.” It is a close relative to the Asian giant hornet, or murder hornet, that was first spotted in the U.S. in 2019. Both species have raised immediate concerns for honeybee populations.
Now, scientists have confirmed that the invasive Vespa velutina species can wreak havoc on bees and other critters, as a new study has revealed the presence of more than 1,400 different species in the guts of larval Asian hornets, which depend on the adult hornets for food.
Researchers investigated the ecological threats from Asian hornets by analyzing the diets and the guts of more than 1,500 samples of hornets found in France, Spain, Jersey and the UK.
They found 1,449 different species total inside the guts of these hornet samples, with the found species including bees and wasps, flies, butterflies and moths, beetles and spiders. The most commonly found species was the Apis mellifera, also known as the western honey bee or European honey bee.
Further, researchers noted that of the 50 most abundant species found in the gut samples, 43 species were those that visit and pollinate flowers. Four of the top 50 included common species of bumblebees. The scientists published their findings in the journal Science of The Total Environment.
Based on these results, the research team has raised concerns over how the invasive Asian hornet could threaten vulnerable species, particularly important pollinators.
“Most insect populations are in decline due to factors such as habitat destruction and chemical pollution. The expanding area inhabited by Asian hornets poses an extra threat,” Siffreya Pedersen, lead author of the study, said in a statement.
Three of the top predated species included the European honey bee, the buff-tailed bumblebee and the red-tailed bumblebee, all of which are essential crop pollinators in Europe. As The Guardian reported, one Asian hornet can kill about 50 bees per day, presenting a serious threat to already vulnerable bee populations. If Asian hornets continue to spread and prey on these pollinators, the authors warned there could be serious and widespread environmental impacts.
While predation of bees and other pollinators is of concern, there could be further ecological disruptions if flies, beetles, spiders, and other organisms become prey to this non-native species of hornets.
“Insects play vital roles in enabling ecosystems to function – including pollination, decomposition and pest control,” Pedersen said.
According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Asian hornets first came to Europe by accident through a shipment to France in 2004. This species’ predation of bees is well-known, but the latest study reveals that these hornets have a varied diet throughout the year and are also harming populations of other organisms, revealing a broader threat.
“Our study provides important additional evidence of the threat posed by Asian hornets as they spread across Europe,” said Peter Kennedy, co-author of the study and a research fellow at University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute.
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