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Vespa velutina: a new invasive predator of honeybees in Europe

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Abstract

The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) is the first invasive Vespidae predator of honeybees to be accidentally introduced into Europe from Asia. In the current pollinator decline, V. velutina is an additional stressor for honeybees and other pollinators. Although V. velutina contributes to the loss of honeybee colonies, little is known about its biology and behaviour both in the native and in the invaded area. Here, we review the current knowledge of this species and describe its life cycle and life history traits (reproduction, overwintering, foraging and dispersal) in the light of the biology of other Vespidae. We also review the impact of this species on ecosystems, on the economics of beekeeping, and on human health (this species being potentially deadly for allergic people). Based on this information and on previous worldwide experiences with Vespidae invasions, we propose key research topics for the development of effective management plans. We identify methods to limit the impact and proliferation of V. velutina in Europe that are based on nest destruction, trapping, population genetics, and biological control. In our opinion, research effort on the means to detect and destroy V. velutina nests at an early stage is required in order to short-circuit the colony cycle and thus limit both its impact on honeybees and its expansion through Europe. Finally, we discuss the impact of this biological invasion on the development of methods that should be used to manage alien species in the future.

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Acknowledgments

This review was invited by Dr. Nicolas Desneux, subject editor of the Journal. Our research project on V. velutina is currently funded by Région Aquitaine and INRA, and was undertaken within the Labex COTE research project. We thank Mrs. Lucette Dufour and Mrs. Bernadette Darchen from Le Rucher du Périgord (Dordogne), the Groupement de Défense Sanitaire des Abeilles de Gironde (GDSA 33), Mr. Benjamin Viry (Andernos environmental services), Mr. Eric Savary (SARL Arbres et Forêts Services) and Mr. Jacques Tardits. We are grateful to Dr. Olivier Le Gall (scientific director of INRA) for encouraging this research by providing organizational facilities and Dr. Hubert de Rochambeau for allowing experimentation in the INRA Bordeaux-Aquitaine research centre. We are also grateful to Dr. Phil Lester and three anonymous reviewers for their help to improve the quality of our manuscript.

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  1. Karine Monceau

    Present address: Equipe Ecologie Evolutive, UMR 6282 Biogéosciences, Université de Bourgogne, 6 Bd Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR 1065 Santé et Agroécologie du Vignoble, INRA, ISVV, 33883, Villenave d’Ornon, France

    Karine Monceau, Olivier Bonnard & Denis Thiéry

  2. UMR 1065 Santé et Agroécologie du Vignoble, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, ISVV, Université de Bordeaux, 33883, Villenave d’Ornon, France

    Karine Monceau, Olivier Bonnard & Denis Thiéry

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  1. Karine Monceau
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  3. Denis Thiéry
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Correspondence to Denis Thiéry.

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Communicated by N. Desneux.

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Monceau, K., Bonnard, O. & Thiéry, D. Vespa velutina: a new invasive predator of honeybees in Europe. J Pest Sci 87, 1–16 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-013-0537-3

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