Should we be concerned about the presence of the oriental hornet detected in Marseille?

He is red with yellow spots on the abdomen. The oriental hornet, by its scientific name Vespa orientalis linnaeus, did he take up residence in Marseille? This is the question that researchers are trying to elucidate, after the discovery of a colony in early October. For now, scientists know little about these newcomers in France. The National Inventory of Natural Heritage (INPN) invites people who have observed these hornets to complete a report form to learn more.

How to recognize this species? Is she dangerous? Will it establish itself on French territory? Franceinfo interviewed entomologist Quentin Rome, a hornet specialist at the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB).

Franceinfo: How can we recognize the oriental hornet?

Quentin Rome: It is a hornet which is morphologically closer to the European hornet than to its Asian counterpart. It nests in cavities and makes sparsely populated nests, unlike the Asian hornet which makes very populous nests, in height and outdoors, hanging in trees.

Physically, the Eastern Hornet is red with yellow spots on the abdomen. The Asian hornet is black with an orange ring and yellow partitions. As for the European hornet, it is black, with red spots and the abdomen striped black and yellow.

Can it proliferate in France?

For the moment, we have no idea of ​​the Eastern Hornet’s capacity for expansion, contrary to what we can read everywhere. What we do know is that this hornet is naturally present in southern Europe, southern Italy and the Balkans. It is also found in East and North Africa, and as far as India.

It was introduced in 2013 in Andalusia (Spain) and is slowly rising north with global warming. There was also an introduction in northern Italy and, for the past three weeks, in Marseille. We also know that there is a colony in the Phocaean city, since workers have been captured and that there is at least one during reproduction (we have already found males and females in the environment). However, it is still not clear exactly where this colony is located.

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How did he get to Marseille?

It is not known how it got there, nor how it was introduced in other European countries. However, it is known that hornet queens have been captured on several occasions in shipments of fruit in Belgium and the United Kingdom. It can therefore be transported with fruit, but we do not have any additional information.

Is this species dangerous for humans?

It is no more so than European and Asian hornets. We have a lot of documentation on its venom and its reactions. The oriental hornet is dangerous for people who are allergic to it, and you should be careful of bites in the mouth. For others, it is no more harmful than a bee sting. It is a peaceful species, much more than its European counterpart. We can approach it without problem. On the other hand, it is a great predator of honey bees. This poses problems for beekeepers in countries where this hornet is present.

Should French beekeepers be worried about the presence of this hornet on the territory?

Today, it is too early to say, because it is not known if he will stay there. If the winter is severe, or it’s just a first colony, maybe it won’t take hold. But a colony is already there, which is still a bad sign. For the moment, we do not know the conditions that would favor its establishment. We’re just starting to work on it.

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