Asian Hornet Spotted in Luxembourg for First Time

Luxembourg's Nature and Forest Agency has reported the first sightings of the Asian hornet, also known as the yellow-legged hornet or Asian predatory wasp, in the Grand Duchy.

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), is an invasive species native to Asia. It is thought to have been introduced accidentally into France around 2004 and has since spread throughout much of Europe from Portugal to the north of Germany. In September 2020, this species was detected for the first time in Luxembourg, first in the locality of Junglinster and then in Ingeldorf and Esch-sur-Alzette.

The Nature and Forest Agency stressed the importance of reporting every sighting of the Asian Hornet either to the agency itself or to the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN or natur musée). This can be done directly through the MNHN's database or via email: vespa@neobiota.lu, indicating the address or geographic coordinates of the place of observation and attaching a photograph for confirmation.

The species can be confused with other Hymenoptera such as the European hornet (Vespa crabro). The Asian hornet generally has a darker body and, as the name suggests, yellow legs. It is not normally aggressive and the risk of being stung remains low, provided one keeps a distance of at least five metres from its nest. Further details are available at: www.emwelt.lu.

Destruction of nests can help reduce damage, such as predation on beehives, from this hornet. Such an intervention must be carried out by specialist agents.

In the coming months, an action plan will be drawn up in collaboration with the players concerned to limit the nuisances of the species and its expansion on Luxembourg territory.