Asian hornet spotted at FRC

At FRC, Asian hornets were recently observed in crates of rotting fruit left outside. After reporting the sighting on waarneming.nl, a local search group was mobilized. They tracked one hornet with a transmitter and were able to locate the nest high up in a tree in Zetten. This nest will be removed in the near future.

The Asian hornet is an invasive species that is increasingly found in the Netherlands. It preys on insects such as wasps and honeybees, posing a risk to biodiversity and pollination. The species is smaller than the European hornet, but clearly larger than a honeybee. Nationally, working groups and government authorities cooperate to detect and remove nests in a timely manner.

Learn more about the Asian hornet? https://www.nvwa.nl/onderwerpen/aziatische-hoornaar

The tagged and marked Asian hornet. Photo by Maarten Vermeulen.