Why 'Murder Hornets' Are Causing Devastation

by Mimi de Trafford

‘Vespa velutina’

Know colloquially as the ‘Murder Hornet’, the Vespa Velutina originates from Asia and originally arrived in Europe in 2004 when a hive was accidently transported in a piece of pottery.  The insect, approximately 1 inch in length, has been slowly spreading North since then, arriving in the Channel Islands in 2018 and has been spotted in the South of England since September of last year. Over the last month these hornets have been spotted in the US for the first time too. Vespa Velutina can be distinguished from local Hornets by its colouring and habits.  Unlike local hornets it is a ‘day flier’ returning to its nest at dusk.  It is primarily black with a band of yellow on its fourth segment and Orange face.  

Whilst these hornets are not vastly more dangerous to human life than a common bee, their sting is packed with so much venom that if a victim is allergic it can cause them to go into anaphylactic shock and potentially die within minutes. However the most immediate concern relating to these hornets is their ability to devastate bee hives which has an exceptionally negative impact on bee populations. This, in turn, is environmentally problematic due to our reliance on bees to pollinate a great variety of crops and other plants.  Unlike bees from the countries these hornets are native to which have evolved tdefensive tactics to kill the hornets before they can wipe out hives, in Europe and the US the bees do not yet have the ability to defend themselves and are therefore left vulnerable.

Vespa Velutina have a lifespan of a year so it is extremely important to spot them and track them to their hives as early as possible in order to eradicate their invasion.  They are reportedly attracted to ivy and it is therefore worth keeping an eye on this plant should it grow nearby.  Scientists track the insect by using a trap baited with bacon or prawn that the hornet returns to every few minutes and this can lead the scientists to the hornets’ nests which can then be sprayed with insecticide. A news report from last month suggested that these hornets could end up costing the UK approximately £7.6 million to get rid of, so It is vital that nests are removed quickly and effectively. 

However, while these insects do pose a risk to bee populations, the fear of their arrival has created a problem. In the US people are putting out traps for the hornets which ultimately has a much greater effect on bees and wasps, adding to the constantly declining bee population. It is always essential to consider the impact of defensive action before putting it in place to prevent against possible exacerbation of any new problem.