Invasive species spread across Germany as experts monitor threats

Invasive species are increasingly appearing in Germany, driven in part by climate change. Experts are actively monitoring and attempting to contain these populations to protect local ecosystems.

In Leipzig, the Naturschutzbund (NABU) is working with the public to locate nests of the invasive Asian hornet (Vespa velutina). Experts suggest using DIY traps containing a mixture of white wine, syrup, and dark beer to attract the insects and observe their flight paths toward potential nests, particularly in the Grünau district. The Asian hornet is considered a threat to honeybees and local biodiversity.

Simultaneously, researchers at the Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine are monitoring mosquito populations across Germany. Using a network of traps maintained by volunteers, scientists track species like the Asian tiger mosquito, which can transmit diseases such as Dengue and Zika. This monitoring is crucial for understanding how climate change affects the spread of disease-carrying insects in Europe.