Hornets Originating from Asia Persistently Expand Their Range
German Government Classifies Asian Hornet as Widespread, Urges Public Vigilance
The Federal Ministry for the Environment in Germany has reclassified the Asian Hornet as "widespread" at the end of March 2025, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to managing this invasive species. This reclassification ends the nationwide obligation to remove nests and replaces it with a duty to conduct appropriate management.
The Asian Hornet has been making steady progress in Germany, with records now found from Schleswig-Holstein to Bavaria. Baden-Württemberg, in particular, has been one of the most affected states, with the number of reported nests skyrocketing from 607 in 2023 to 1,500 in 2024.
Individuals are encouraged to report sightings of Asian Hornets and their nests via the Reporting Platform of the State Agency for the Environment Baden-Württemberg (LUBW). The State Institute for Bee Research at the University of Hohenheim, which has been centralizing all tasks related to the Asian Hornet on behalf of the Nature Conservation Administration since March 2024, will continue to support individuals in reporting nests and providing specialist information.
Nest removals will only be commissioned and paid for by nature conservation if there is a concrete threat to biological diversity. Affected individuals must take action themselves and commission nest removals at their own expense if necessary.
In an effort to control the Asian Hornet effectively and cost-efficiently, the Ministry of the Environment, in collaboration with federal authorities and the State Institute for Bee Research, is planning a research project. This project aims to develop methods beyond nest removal, including extensive field trials to improve control measures.
Since 2022, a regular roundtable on the Asian Hornet has been held in Baden-Württemberg, involving all stakeholders to coordinate approaches and measures. Uniform recommendations for management are available in the Management and Action Sheet, which can be found on the website of the State Institute for the Environment Baden-Württemberg.
For those interested in staying updated on the Asian Hornet, a free email newsletter is available on the website of the State Institute for Bee Research. Further information on the Asian Hornet can be found on the websites of the State Institute for the Environment Baden-Württemberg and the State Institute for Bee Research at the University of Hohenheim. Confirmed records of Asian Hornets can be viewed on an External Map.
Management and action sheets for widely spread invasive species can also be found on the website of the State Institute for the Environment Baden-Württemberg. The ministry urges the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings to help control the spread of the Asian Hornet.
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