Asian Hornet

Question 1

What are the distinguishable features of the Asian Hornet

Answer 1

• Yellow face and yellow legs
• 4th abdominal segment is yellow, whilst the rest of the abdomen is dark brown
• Queens are 30mm in length whilst workers are 24mm
• Wings are dark Smokey brown
• Never active at night
• Dark velvety throat
• Primary nests are low to the ground and secluded whilst secondary nests are high

Question 2

The Latin name for the Asian Hornet

Answer 2

Vespa velutina

Question 3

What happens in spring for Asian hornets?

Answer 3

• Foundresses emerge from hibernation and eat nectar and tree sap.
• Queens ovaries develop
• The queen will harvest plant materials to build an embryo (primary) nest. They are often near water.
• Embryo nests are usually finished by April

Question 4

What is the Asian Hornet doing in Summer?

Answer 4

• Small nests have 10 cells which rear the first workers
• Larvae are fed prey pellets so the queen has to hunt for these
• Developement from egg to adult takes 50 days
• Nests may be abandoned for Secondary nests
• Predation on hives

Question 5

What is the lifecycle of the Asian Hornet in autumn?

Answer 5

• Fertile females (gynes) and fertile males are produced
• Mating
• Mated queens will leave the nest and go and hibernate either underground or under wood piles

Question 6

What modifications of an apiary/ hive can be taken to reduce effects of Asian Hornets?

Answer 6

• reduce hive entrance
• muzzles
• electric harps
• keeping hives close together to minimise predation pressure
• growing grass up high around entrances
• trapping in apiary to minimise predation