Guide to the Management of the Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina)

In Asia, the Asian giant hornet coexists with around twenty other hornet species of similar or even larger size, which are direct competitors for the same food resources (insects) and for the same nesting sites. In addition to competing, the different species of giant hornets may prey on one another, further affecting their reproductive success. It is considered a problem with implications across various sectors: socio-economic (it causes damage to beekeeping and agriculture in general, and pest control entails significant costs for the authorities), biodiversity (it is predates bees and other local insects) and public health (risk of stings).