Accidentally introduced to France in the early 2000s, the Asian hornet – or Vespa velutina – has colonized much of Western Europe in the space of just 15 years. Today, it can be found in almost all of France and in several other European countries.
For several years now, this invasive species, which has no natural predators, has been causing growing concern due to its impact on biodiversity and agricultural activity.
A BEE PREDATOR AND A HINDRANCE TO POLLINATION
The Asian hornet’s diet includes fruit and nectar. To feed its larvae, it also hunts a variety of insects, depending on the opportunity : bees, wasps, flies and butterflies.
For bees, the danger is not limited to direct attack by the Asian hornet, but also lies in the constant threat posed by its presence near hives.
The bees can no longer forage peacefully, and their activity is paralyzed, gradually weakening the hive and condemning it.
For beekeepers, this is a major problem, with the risk of their colonies disappearing, and the additional costs that this entails.
Through its impact on biodiversity, the Asian hornet logically affects agricultural production. Indeed, almost a third of our diet depends on the activity of bees, which play a crucial role in the pollination process, contributing to plant reproduction.
Declining bee populations therefore compromise crop yields, leading to higher production costs. These are significant issues in the context of food sovereignty.
Maïsadour offers solutions to farmers
As the hornet nesting season approaches – when maximum temperatures exceed 15°C – Maïsadour takes action.
Teams from MAS Seeds and VEGA* Maïsadour offer members traps and attractive solutions for deployment on their farms.
These solutions are also available on the aladin.farm commerce site and in Élevage Service et Cap’Nature stores.
Coupled with a natural attractant solution, these spring traps – supplied by the Véto-pharma laboratory – are selective : specifically designed to capture Asian hornets without harming other species, thus preserving the ecological balance.
Their aim is to capture the “founding queens” at the end of their hibernation period, before they develop new colonies of Asian hornets.
Through these actions to combat the Asian hornet, Maïsadour is supporting the development of its beekeeping sector and, more generally, acting to protect biodiversity and ensure increasingly sustainable agriculture.
