Asian hornet
Occurrence
Since 2015, it has been known to occur in large parts of France, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Germany. In 2016, it reached the Channel Islands and Great Britain. In 2017, a reproductive queen was sighted in Switzerland (canton of Jura). In 2023, the Asian hornet was observed in Hungary near the Austrian border. The Hungarian Museum of Natural History examined two of the specimens found in Kimle and confirmed that they were the Asian hornet Vespa velutina. A distribution is considered possible for the whole of Europe as far as southern Scandinavia.
The situation in Austria
On 9 April 2024, a specimen was sighted and captured for the first time in Austria, in the city of Salzburg. This was an isolated sighting, presumably of a queen without an established nest. Extensive checks revealed no further sightings in the vicinity of the site.
We ask Austrian beekeepers to be particularly vigilant near their bee colonies during the summer and autumn months. Based on experience in other countries, we recommend the following procedure: during your regular apiary visits throughout the season, observe the bee flight in front of the colonies for around 20 minutes – this should be sufficient to detect any presence of the Asian hornet. If you suspect a sighting, please document the situation (photo, video) and report your suspicion to the relevant authorities. The Federal Office for Food Safety (Import Control) and the nine provincial governments are responsible for invasive species (see the list of Austrian reporting centres in the download section).
Central Velutina reporting portal (Biene Österreich, Chambers of Agriculture)
Please do not catch or kill any animals, as there is a risk of mistaking them for native species.
You will find information material to assist with identification in the download section.
Specialist information
Vespa velutina is of particular interest to beekeepers as it prefers to hunt social hymenoptera (bees, wasps, flies), spiders and grasshoppers to feed its brood. The question of how much damage it can cause to bee colonies is judged differently. Vespa velutina is diurnal and hunts its prey in flight. In front of the beehives, it lies in wait for the returning bees in hovering flight. High densities of Asian hornets can weaken colonies and even lead to colony losses. According to one estimate, in late autumn, when the strength of other insect populations declines, about 75 bees are preyed upon per day.
They are characterised by nests (40 to 60 cm in diameter with a side exit) in tall trees. The hornet colony consists of an average of 6,000 individuals, with only the queens overwintering.
The Asian hornet is just as harmless to healthy people as the native hornet, Vespa cabro (allergic reactions are possible). Both species behave peacefully and normally only attack humans when threatened. Their noisy flight is particularly unsettling.
Contact
Leitung
DI Hemma Köglberger
- hemma.koeglberger@ages.at
- +43 50 555 33127
-
Spargelfeldstraße 191
1220 Wien
Last updated: 13.04.2026
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