In a study carried out by researchers at the University of Oviedo, in Asturias, four specimens of the wasp were identified in that province in the north of Spain, which was considered more dangerous than the Asian wasp, which entered Europe from France in 2004.
As a result of the study, whose conclusions were published at the beginning of the month in the journal Ecology and Evolution, it was possible to detect four worker wasps, between March 2022 and October 2023. they will have arrived in the region as “passengers” in cargo containers.
At the end of the work that aimed to study the species affected by Asian wasps, in Asturias, the sad wasp was revealed for the first time. [‘southern giant hornet’ — vespa gigante do sul] in Europe, proven by “morphological and genetic analyses”.
“Our preliminary results raise concerns about the potential threat of the wasp to human health and ecosystem dynamics, as it is a highly predatory species for other insects and even small vertebrates,” the researchers noted in their conclusion.
“Its presence in the northern region of the Iberian Peninsula, where the velvet wasp is invasive [asiática] widely, it can have a cumulative effect of increasing environmental, economic and even public health damagea”, reads the study.
For researchers, As their presence is still “scarce” in the region, a “rapid response plan to find the nests” must be drawn up and proceed with their “extermination”.
A species has a “very large” head and is an “aggressive predator that preys on invertebrates of various sizesincluding butterflies, dragonflies, praying mantises and grasshoppers, as well as other wasps and even small vertebrates such as geckos.”
Sorrow worker wasps measure 35 millimeters (mm) and queens 46 mm. The common soror heads do not reach 10 mm.
It “can cause health problems, because the bite is very painful and causes long-term effects, probably because it has a strong venom”.
“Thus, the sad wasp can be an important cause of medical complications, especially during the months of September to December, the period before the emergence of new males and queens, when colonies become large and highly defended ”, read- if in the study. .
Most colonies of this species are found “in wooded areas, at altitudes from sea level to more than 700 meters high”.
The nest is ”usually situated underground, often on a well-drained hillside, with the entrance hole dug down to the surface of the soil,
“Some nests are very close to the surface, only a few centimeters underground, but others are deep underground, with one or more tunnels 60 centimeters or more in length, between the nest and the entrance”, which says the investigation. .
“This could be a problem if this species spreads throughout the North of Spain, because, as in the case of the velvet wasp, the first factor for its effective control is to remove its nests after detection. If hornet nests are underground, this can be an added challenge when searching for, locating and exterminating them,” he says.
The Beekeeping Association of Entre Minho e Lima (APIMIL) asked next Monday that the national authorities take “concrete and well-directed actions” against the threat of a new wasp invasion, which is more dangerous than the Asian one.
Speaking to the Lusa agency, the president of APIMIL, Alberto Dias, explained that a study by the University of Oviedo, in Asturias, Spain, published at the beginning of the month, in the journal Ecologia e Evolucion, presents the first European record. [quatro exemplares] of the presence of the mourning wasp, in the municipality of Siero, Asturias, Spain.
Alberto Dias referred to the fact that there was no record of the presence of the wasp in Portugal, but warned that the “proximity” of Alto Minho to Galiciawhere the species has not yet been detected, “you must turn on the red lights and ring the bells”, so that you do not ”plague” the Asian wasp again.
The velutina wasp, commonly known as the Asian wasp, entered Europe through the French port of Bordeaux in 2004 and arrived in Alto Minho in 2011.
“When APIMIL noticed in Viana do Castelo the presence of a species now known to everyone, the velutina wasp, we were ridiculed and called scaremongers and utopians. Today, we can see the result of the utopia of that time”, said Alberto Dias.
For the president of the bee association, located in Vila Nova de Cerveira, Viana do Castelo district, “Portugal must have a different attitude towards the wasp than it had towards the Asian attitude”.
According to Alberto Dias, “every entity is aware of the situation and perfectly aware of the problem in question”, but he considered that “concrete and well-directed actions must be planned and initiated, based on the lessons was learned from the wasp velutina. “.
“We must apply the lessons learned over 10 years”, he said, also pointing out that “the sea losses due to the presence of this species are worth millions of euros”, he said.
APIMIL has 200 members who work in 70% of the 20 thousand hives registered in the 10 municipalities in the Viana do Castelo area.
“In a poor and aging sector (beekeeping), discouragement and the ability to fight against low production and the cost of production factors are pushing hard to abandon the activity. It is interesting that, at the level of the European Union, we see an increase in environmental measures, the need for pollinators, green corridors, where beekeeping has a defined role”, he said, rejecting the position “we will see what happens” .
Alberto Dias mentioned that “The beekeepers, as well-known people in the spaces where they live, are still, perhaps, the most important network in terms of monitoring and fighting the velvet wasp”.
For Alberto Dias, “beekeeping is not an occasional, occasional act”, but “a daily ecological activity, with great environmental value for the rehabilitation and maintenance of ecosystems”.
“If Portugal wants to have more beekeepers, if we want to increase through them the monitoring network for current and future invasive species, we must now improve beekeeping production, supporting it with concrete measures”, he said .
The Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forest (INCF) said this Monday that, so far, the presence of the wasp has not been found in Portugal.
In response, in writing, to a request for clarification from the Lusa agency regarding a study conducted by the University of Oviedo, the The ICNF states that it is “conducting active surveillance, which is defined in the Action Plan for the Surveillance and Control of the velvet wasp.[tambémconhe[tambémconhe[tambémconhe[tambémconhe
According to the ICNF, through that plan “it is also possible to carry out preventive surveillance and detect other species of large wasps, such as the sad wasp”.
Or ICNF guarantees to be “cautious about the possible appearance of this species in the national territory and is already alerting municipal entities about the possible appearance of this speciesas well as the wasp orientalis, whose presence is increasing in the south of Spain”.
The institute asks, in case of observation of the vespa soror or the vespa orientalis, to report it to the email address [email protected].
What are the potential ecological impacts of the mourning wasp on local ecosystems compared to the Asian wasp?
Interview Between Time.News Editor and Alberto Dias, President of the Beekeeping Association of Entre Minho e Lima (APIMIL)
Editor: Welcome, Alberto! Thank you for joining us today. There’s a lot to unpack regarding the recent discovery of the mourning wasp in Asturias, Spain. Can you start by telling us what makes this wasp different from the Asian wasp, which has already posed significant challenges to ecosystems and beekeeping?
Alberto Dias: Thank you for having me! The mourning wasp, or southern giant hornet, is considered even more dangerous than the Asian wasp. It has a larger head, aggressive predatory behavior, and a painful bite that can lead to serious long-term health issues due to its strong venom. While the Asian wasp primarily impacts bee populations, this new wasp poses a threat not just to other insects, but also to small vertebrates—it’s a much broader ecological concern.
Editor: That’s certainly alarming. The study from the University of Oviedo notes that these wasps likely arrived in Asturias as ‘passengers’ in cargo containers. How concerned are you that this type of unintentional introduction could lead to a wider invasion across regions like Portugal?
Alberto Dias: Very concerned. The proximity of fully populated regions in Spain to Portugal raises red flags. Much like the Asian wasp did over a decade ago, any delay in action could lead to widespread infestation. We need to activate preventive measures now, before it escalates into a larger crisis.
Editor: The study suggests a rapid response plan to locate and exterminate the wasp nests. Given that some nests can be quite deep underground, what strategies would you propose to effectively control this threat?
Alberto Dias: The challenges of underground nests cannot be underestimated. We need a precise approach that includes trained teams capable of locating these nests quickly. Utilizing technology—like ground-penetrating radar—could be invaluable, alongside community-led reporting systems to identify sightings. This combined strategy will help ensure that we can eradicate nests before they proliferate.
Editor: You mentioned the lessons learned from dealing with the Asian wasp. Can you share some specific strategies or actions that you believe should be prioritized now to combat this new threat?
Alberto Dias: Absolutely. The key lessons are proactive monitoring and swift action. We must ensure that beekeepers are educated and empowered to act quickly upon sighting the mourning wasp. There should also be a strong collaboration between local authorities and beekeeping associations for effective communication and resource allocation. Additionally, public awareness campaigns will help educate the community about identifying these wasps and understanding their ecological impact.
Editor: It seems that there’s a strong need for action and awareness at both the grassroots and governmental levels. In your opinion, how can the beekeeping community, and society at large, play a role in this fight against invasive species?
Alberto Dias: The beekeeping community is uniquely positioned as first responders in monitoring local ecosystems. Our members are familiar with the environment and are often the first to notice changes. However, we require support from national authorities—including research funding and quick response teams—to back our efforts. Society as a whole needs to understand the importance of pollinators and the ecological balance, which can incite more public participation in protection efforts and advocacy for environmental policies.
Editor: That’s a very insightful perspective, Alberto. As we wrap up, what message would you like to convey to the public regarding the arrival of the mourning wasp and what should they do if they encounter one?
Alberto Dias: My message is clear: awareness is crucial. If you spot a wasp that matches the description of the mourning wasp, do not approach it—report it to local authorities or beekeeping associations immediately. Our collective efforts are vital to preventing its establishment and the potential ecological chaos that could follow. Together, we can take conscious steps toward safeguarding our ecosystems.
Editor: Thank you so much, Alberto, for sharing your insights and perspective on this pressing issue. It’s clear that timely action is essential. We hope to see proactive measures taken soon!
Alberto Dias: Thank you for having me! Together, let’s ensure our ecosystems remain healthy and balanced.