Invasive Asian Hornets Threaten European Pollinators and Ecosystems

A new study reveals that Asian hornets prey on hundreds of insect species, including key crop pollinators, raising concerns about agricultural and ecological impacts.

Researchers identified 1,449 prey species in the guts of Asian hornet larvae, with over half identifiable by DNA analysis.
Key pollinators like honeybees, buff-tailed bumblebees, and red-tailed bumblebees were among the top prey species found in the study.
The study highlights the hornets' highly adaptable diet, which varies by season and region, demonstrating their opportunistic predation on local insect populations.
Asian hornets, native to Southeast Asia, have spread across Europe since their accidental introduction in France 20 years ago, posing an additional threat to already declining insect populations.
The loss of pollinators due to predation by Asian hornets could exacerbate challenges in crop farming and disrupt vital ecosystem functions like pollination and pest control.