[REVISION HISTORY]

Asian hornet expansion and impact on European ecosystems

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What changed

2026-10-25 09:42 UTC → 2026-10-27 08:46 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The spread of the invasive Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) continues across Europe. In Germany, the species is expanding into new territories, including the Harz region in Saxony-Anhalt and Munich in Bavaria. In Munich, experts used telemetry to locate a nest in a building roof following official confirmation of the species' presence. In Engelskirchen, beekeepers recently removed a large nest containing approximately 2,000 hornets. This nest, located 22 meters high in an ash tree, was part of a larger local impact where about 20 nests were identified and removed by trained beekeepers. In France, the species remains a major concern. While a record-breaking heatwave in the summer of 2026 initially caused a sharp decline in nest destruction requests, experts note that surviving colonies have developed into exceptionally large “monster” nests. In the Alpes-Maritimes, beekeepers report significant hive losses, with some losing half a hive in a single week. To manage risks, authorities advise against DIY destruction and recommend maintaining a safety distance of 5 to 10 meters from nests. In the Netherlands, nest reports rose sharply to over 10,000 in 2025. Belgium is also seeing a surge, with the fire service in Vlaams-Brabant West establishing partnerships with beekeeping associations to manage the workload. In Slovakia, the presence of the species has been confirmed in the village of Uloža, where authorities have launched monitoring and eradication operations. In Poland, the species has been confirmed near ~~Kraków, with~~ Kraków. The State Fire Service destroyed a nest in Wielka Wieś ~~removed by firefighters~~ on orders from the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection. Experts warn that these hornets hunt at hive entrances, which can lead to the starvation of entire colonies. Scientists expect dozens of new nests to emerge in ~~October 2026.~~ the area this coming spring.

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