Vespa velutina

Vespa velutina nigrithorax called Asian Frelon is a Asian Hyménoptère of origin arrived clandestinely in the south-west of France, probably in containers of goods. Officially, it was observed for the first time in the Département of Lot-et-Garonne in November 2005.

Its characteristic seems to be to attack the workers of the hives, in particular species Apis will mellifera and Apis cerana . The exact impact of this species on the apiaries or the wild populations of bees is not for the moment known.

Description

It is about an insect of three centimetres.

Predation

According to the Entomologist S, it would not be more dangerous for the man than any other Frelon, on the other hand it is a very frightening predator for all the pollinating insects and in particular for the bees.

According to the observations, this Frelon positions in hovering at the entry of the hives, ready to melt on the bees charged with pollen to kill them.

Economic and ecological damage

The bees play a crucial role in the survival of the plants thanks to the work of pollination which they ensure, in particular for more than 20.000 plants in Europe of which 40% are fruits, vegetables or oilseeds.

Its impact is very important and it seems that its presence in France is older. Indeed, in spite of the prohibition of the insecticides " Gaucho " and " Regent " since 2004, the bees continue to die in mass. That would be also the explanation to alleged surprising the speed of swarming of the Asian Frelon.

Between 1996 and 2006, the French production of honey crumbled of 43.000 tons annual to 33.000 tons and a third of the colonies of bees disappears each year since 1995.

Presence in France

2005 : Lot-et-Garonne
2007: the Gironde, in particular in the south of the department , Charente-Maritime

See too

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