Munich officials confirm presence of invasive Asian hornet

The invasive Asian hornet has been officially detected in Munich, marking a significant development for local agriculture and beekeeping. A city employee discovered the insect on a flower in mid-September, a sighting subsequently confirmed by the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture (LWG).

Experts suggest a queen may have arrived via freight traffic. While individual stings are comparable to native hornets, the species poses a greater risk to humans when approaching nests due to different defensive behaviors. The spread of the species in Bavaria has increased significantly, with the number of identified nests rising from five in 2023 to 33 in the previous year. Bavarian Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber stated that the species is no longer a theoretical threat but a present reality.