Southern giant hornets, also known as “murder hornets,” have been discovered in Europe for the first time. Two pairs of these hornets were found in northern Spain since 2022, sparking a hunt for their nest. Native to parts of Asia, these hornets are known to kill off beehives and grow to an average length of 2 inches. Researchers believe the nest of these hornets dates back at least a year.
The northern and southern giant hornets are similar in behavior and appearance, with the former first being spotted in the United States in 2019. Southern giant hornets are known to aggressively hunt native hornets, bees, butterflies, and other insects, impacting the local ecosystem.
Researchers suspect that these hornets likely arrived in Spain on a cargo ship. Efforts are ongoing to find and destroy their nest, which is difficult to locate as it may be more than 30 meters underground. The scientists have been collecting more sightings to track the spread of these invasive pests.
Genetic testing has confirmed the species of these hornets found in Spain, providing a basis for mitigation efforts such as education, management plans, and increased monitoring at ports to prevent further infestations. The discovery indicates that more southern giant hornets are likely to be detected in Spain and possibly other parts of Europe in the future.
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