Report sightings! – Asian hornets cause alarm

The detection of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) in Austria is also raising alarm bells among beekeepers in Burgenland. “This hornet species is known for its aggressive attacks on bee colonies, killing these insects and using them to feed their larvae. The fight against Velutina is therefore of great importance to minimize damage to the environment, beekeeping and other agricultural production sectors such as fruit and vegetable cultivation,” emphasizes Nikolaus Berlakovich, President of the Chamber of Agriculture.

The first confirmed sightings were already in August 2023 in Bavaria and Hungary, near the border with Austria. However, transmissions over very long distances are to be expected. This means that eastern Austria in particular is in the immediate danger zone, according to the Chamber of Agriculture.

Also not safe for humans
“The Asian hornet is slightly smaller than our native hornet. In addition, the Asian hornet is more aggressive. Their sting can be dangerous to humans,” says bee expert Kerstin Seitz. In addition to the ongoing exchange with the chairman of the Burgenland beekeeping association Herbert Grafl, local beekeepers and exterminators, a reporting system was set up to combat the spread, as the state also explains.

Please report sightings!
“Anyone can help and report sightings of nests, which are often remarkably large and hang in the treetops,” says Deputy Governor Astrid Eisenkopf. The costs for removing the nests are borne by the state. Burgenland will submit a proposal for a joint approach to combating the Asian hornet at the next state agricultural conference.