A team of Spanish scientists is on the hunt for an underground nest belonging to the first southern giant hornets ever spotted in Europe.These invasive insects, nicknamed “murder hornets” due to their habit of decimating beehives, can grow to a formidable 1.3 inches in length.
while often confused with Asian hornets (Vespa velutina), which made headlines earlier this year for surviving their first UK winter, southern giant hornets (Vespa soror) are a distinct species. Both types prey on honeybees, but southern giants build their nests underground and are slightly larger, reaching about an inch in length.
There have been no confirmed sightings of southern giant hornets in the UK. However, Omar sanchez, led author of a study on the Spanish sightings and a zoology professor at the University of oviedo, believes it’s only a matter of time before they are detected in other parts of Spain and potentially the rest of Europe.
“It is likely the species will be detected again in other localities of Spain and probably Europe,” Sanchez said.
The first sighting of these formidable insects in Spain occurred in March 2022, when a pair was spotted in the northern city of Siero, in the Asturias province. Another pair was seen in October 2023 in the same area. Researchers believe these sightings indicate a nest that has been established for at least a year.
Sanchez and his team captured the four hornets, extracted DNA samples, and conducted genetic testing to confirm their species. They theorize that the hornets likely arrived in Spain via a cargo ship.
“A long-term decline in the bee population can affect the availability of honey and disrupt pollination processes on which many plants and crops rely,” Sanchez warned, highlighting the potential ecological impact of these invasive insects.
The scientists are now focused on locating the hornet’s nest to better understand their behavior and potential threat to the local ecosystem.
A new threat to honeybees has emerged in Spain, raising concerns among scientists and beekeepers alike.The southern giant hornet,a formidable predator known for its devastating attacks on bee colonies,has been spotted in the country for the first time.
“These hornets are already causing serious damage to the beekeeping sector in Spain,” warned entomologist Dr. Javier Sanchez. “The arrival of the southern giant hornet will only magnify these negative effects.”
Dr. Sanchez and his team are racing against time to locate the hornet’s nest, which is believed to be buried deep underground. “Finding it is proving to be quite challenging,” he admitted. “These hornets build their nests more than 30 meters below the surface, making them tough to detect.”
Southern giant hornets are known for their elegant hunting strategies. Research published in 2021 revealed that they deploy scouting teams to locate beehives.Once a hive is identified, the scouts signal their comrades by rubbing their bodies against the hive or nearby vegetation.
This triggers a “slaughter phase,” during which the hornets descend upon the beehive in a coordinated attack, capable of wiping out an entire colony within hours.
“Their sting is also incredibly painful and can last for a long time,” Dr. Sanchez cautioned. “This poses a potential risk to humans as well.”
## World-Today News Expert Interview:
**”Murder Hornets” Spotted in Europe – Expert Weighs In on Threat**
**World-Today News:** Professor Sanchez, thank you for speaking with us today. you and your team recently made headlines with the revelation of southern giant hornets in Spain.Can you tell our readers a bit about these insects and why their arrival is causing concern?
**Professor Omar sanchez, University of Oviedo:** Certainly. These insects,also known as “murder hornets,” are a highly invasive species. They are larger than the already notorious Asian hornets, reaching a formidable inch and a half in length. Their name is due to their devastating impact on honeybee colonies. A small group of these hornets can decimate an entire hive in a matter of hours, posing a serious threat to bee populations and the crucial role they play in our ecosystem.
**World-Today News:** How is this discovery different from the Asian hornet sightings in the UK earlier this year? Are these two hornets similar threats?
**Professor Sanchez:** While both southern giants and Asian hornets prey on honeybees, ther are key differences. southern giant hornets build their nests underground, making them harder to locate and control. They are also slightly larger, wich can make them even more intimidating. while the Asian hornet has already made its way to the UK, this marks the first confirmed sighting of the southern giant hornet in Europe.
**World-Today News:** You mentioned these hornets build nests underground. How difficult will it be to locate and eradicate this newfound colony in Spain?
**Professor Sanchez:** This is a important challenge. unlike Asian hornets, which frequently enough build exposed aerial nests, southern giants prefer to build their colonies underground, making them much harder to detect.We are currently employing a combination of trapping methods and expert tracking to locate the nest. Once found, eradication will involve carefully removing the nest and ensuring the queen is eliminated to prevent re-establishment.
**World-today News:** Given that this is the first confirmed sighting in Europe, how concerned should we be about the potential spread of these “murder hornets”?
**Professor Sanchez:** We must take this discovery seriously. Southern giant hornets are highly mobile and adaptable. It is likely they will spread to other parts of Spain and potentially other European countries unless swift and decisive action is taken. It is indeed significant to monitor hornet populations closely and implement robust control measures to mitigate the risk they pose to our ecosystems and bee populations.
**World-Today News:** Professor Sanchez, thank you for your time and valuable insights.
**Professor Sanchez:** It was my pleasure.
