Controlling Vespa Velutina Nigrithorax (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) In Majorca

The yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, is an Invasive Alien Species (IAS) accidentally introduced in Europe from South East Asia. It was reported for the first time in south-west France in 2004 and rapidly spread to nearby European countries: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland and the Netherlands. This social insect preys primarily upon honeybees (Apis mellifera), but also upon other pollinators and insects. Consequently, the introduction of this IAS raises two important concerns: economic impact because the invasion will likely cause high losses due to death of honeybee colonies (which provokes the reduction of honey production and the pollination services provided by honeybees), and  impact on the natural ecosystem and local biodiversity by causing declines in insect populations. Here we provide information about the surveillance strategies that have been established in this area to stop its colonization: spring queen trapping, adult detection, nest detection and techniques of nest removal. Moreover, we provide information about the evolution of this hornet in the Mallorca, since its introduction in 2015: a total of 30 secondary nests were detected and removed during the three fists years of invasion and none of them during the last year 2018 and 2019. Considering the presumably early stage of the invasion, the size of the island and the promising results obtained, we consider that this species could be eradicated if resources and a specific program for eradication in Mallorca are implemented in coordination with all involved partners.