With the arrival of warmer temperatures, residents on the Côte d’Azur—and across much of France—are being encouraged to install traps to capture invasive Asian hornet queens before they can establish new colonies. Here’s how to identify the species, which is decimating local bee populations throughout the country.
Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) were first detected in France in 2005, having likely arrived from China the previous year in a shipment of pottery via the port of Bordeaux. Since then, their expansion has been relentless, with the species spreading rapidly along river systems and other watercourses. They are now found in most of France, as well as in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and, more recently, the United Kingdom.
Unlike worker hornets, the queens survive the winter, emerging from hibernation in late February when temperatures are consistently 12°C to 13°C or higher. At this stage, they begin forming new colonies, initially building small, fragile nests that are easier to neutralise, before they develop into the larger, more resilient nests seen in late summer. This makes early trapping and destruction particularly crucial.
A non-native species, the Asian hornet poses a serious threat to local biodiversity, particularly to native bee populations. The hornet’s predatory behaviour has raised concerns among environmentalists and beekeepers alike, making effective control measures essential.
Commonly used trapping methods can create ecological problems, as they are not suited to targeting this species, so it is recommended that traps designed specifically for the Asian hornet be used to avoid harming other pollinators.
Special traps
Many local councils are offering free or subsidised traps in a bid to combat the spread of Asian hornets.
After scientists working for the Région Sud reported that 20% to 30% of local beehives have been decimated by the Asian hornet, PACA authorities voted to increase the budget allocated to biodiversity by €120,000 to support projects combating invasive exotic species, prioritising the Asian hornet.
The traps recommended for Asian hornets are often painted red to attract the hornets and come with instructions on using a specific bait mixture. The recommended enticement—a combination of grenadine syrup, beer and white wine—is designed to selectively attract hornets while repelling bees. The sugar and fruity scent of grenadine lures the hornets, the beer’s fermenting yeast mimics the aroma of ripening fruit and the white wine acts as a deterrent to bees. The bait must be replaced weekly between February and July, with the traps positioned in flowerbeds or among blossoming trees in sunny, sheltered locations.
What do they look like?
Asian hornets are slightly smaller than their European counterparts, with queens reaching up to 30mm in length and workers up to 25mm. They are easily identifiable by their dark brown or black thorax, orange-yellow faces and distinct yellow banding on their abdomens. Their legs are brown with characteristic yellow tips. They are as ferocious as native hornets in terms of temperament and, while not specifically dangerous to humans or animals—unless the person or animal is allergic—the sting can be very painful indeed.
By targeting them now, residents can help prevent their spread and reduce their impact on local ecosystems.
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