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Asian Hornet
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2025 5:01 pm
by Germain
There was a large amount of swearing today and it was seriously unladylike language. I was mowing a bramble thicket that has grown up around a downed tree that I need to sort - don't want Gosh to crash into it when he is doing speed circuits when I spotted a large dark insect fly towards and then around me, it then went and landed on a dead branch and checked me out. I groaned, stopped mowing and then went and got my phone - when I got back there was no sign so I trod on a bramble leader and it re-appeared. Photos taken - reported to our local team, I'll leave it to local trackers but will let you know the process - I know they are swamped at the moment. They are up to 496 nests this year compared to 152 at the same time last year and queens will soon be emerging
Re: Asian Hornet
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2025 5:16 pm
by Linda257
Oh Jeez thankfully I aint came across any here yet!!!
I think a would have trod on it just to be on safe side
...one less and all that !!!
Re: Asian Hornet
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2025 5:39 pm
by Germain
Linda257 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 25, 2025 5:16 pm
Oh Jeez thankfully I aint came across any here yet!!!
I think a would have trod on it just to be on safe side
...one less and all that !!!
Ok quick lesson - please do not do that! It should be quite some time before you see them. We kill the queens in spring in special traps or if caught in a jar in the freezer. As the season progresses we then trap, tag and track to find firstly primary nests and then secondary nest. A dead hornet is just a dead hornet and can't show you where the rest are. Where they differ from wasps etc is that if you kill one in a destructive manner they release a pheromone and will trigger an incredibly aggressive attack - they will spray acid towards the perceived attackers eyes and soft tissue of the mouth as well as stinging, they are able to detect the carbon dioxide of human breath. I didn't take my big camera out as we have documentation of them attacking the camera when they detect the motor sounds for the lens drive so you will have to endure poor mobile photos as I'm not getting too close
Re: Asian Hornet
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2025 5:50 pm
by Charles B
Re: Asian Hornet
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2025 5:59 pm
by SnappyMac
Something else to stay well clear of...
Re: Asian Hornet
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2025 6:02 pm
by Linda257
Germain wrote: ↑Thu Sep 25, 2025 5:39 pm
Ok quick lesson - please do not do that! It should be quite some time before you see them. We kill the queens in spring in special traps or if caught in a jar in the freezer. As the season progresses we then trap, tag and track to find firstly primary nests and then secondary nest. A dead hornet is just a dead hornet and can't show you where the rest are. Where they differ from wasps etc is that if you kill one in a destructive manner they release a pheromone and will trigger an incredibly aggressive attack - they will spray acid towards the perceived attackers eyes and soft tissue of the mouth as well as stinging, they are able to detect the carbon dioxide of human breath. I didn't take my big camera out as we have documentation of them attacking the camera when they detect the motor sounds for the lens drive so you will have to endure poor mobile photos as I'm not getting too close
OMFG!!! Thanks for Education C
Re: Asian Hornet
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:15 pm
by Germain
Slightly clearer photos - I am wondering if the nest has been damaged as there were two chewing on the dead wood
Re: Asian Hornet
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:26 pm
by Charles B
Germain wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:15 pm
Slightly clearer photos - I am wondering if the nest has been damaged as there were two chewing on the dead wood
Thanks for the info Germain! I will consult NABU here in Germany if there are any in my area and warn my daughters and grand kids.
It appears here in Germany they are all down south were the climate is warmer but not up here in cool Hamburg or Schleswig - Holstein; only a case or two thank Heavens!!!
Re: Asian Hornet
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2025 6:25 pm
by Germain
It appears here in Germany they are all down south were the climate is warmer but not up here in cool Hamburg or Schleswig - Holstein; only a case or two thank Heavens!!!
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They will be slowly making their way up as they are a highly successful insect. It has been seen that European Hornet will hunt them! and potentially Honey Buzzards will have a go. Provided you don't mess with their nests they tend not to bother with humans. Most of the local incidents have involved hedge cutting/ gardening/ farming. They can cause serious crop damage to grapes and soft fruit as they have strong jaws. If you do come across a nest let the professionals handle it
Re: Asian Hornet
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2025 6:39 pm
by Charles B
Germain wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 6:25 pm
...They can cause serious crop damage to grapes and soft fruit as they have strong jaws. If you do come across a nest let the professionals handle it
They also kill honey bees and Germany has already lost most of it's bees due to farmers using the pesticide 'Glyposate' on the rape-oil seed fields. These fields with their beautiful bright yellow flowers attract bees by the millions only now to be poisoned.
A typical Schleswig - Holstein field
But I don't know if the various fly catcher birds of various species can help by catching the Aisian Hornets or not.
