Asian hornet devours everything in its path: Europe threatened

The Asian hornets: these dangerous and extremely invasive predators weaken European ecosystems by preying on bees and other insects to feed their larvae.

According to Futura-sciences, in a recent study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, scientists attempted to quantify the species that form part of the hornets' diet. After thorough analysis of gut samples from hornets from several European countries, the findings are striking.

No fewer than 1,449 species were identified by researchers in the stomachs of Asian hornet larvae. A large majority of these species are unlisted. Among the Asian hornet's prey, which are very varied, you can find wasps, bees, beetles, flies, moths, butterflies...and even spiders! "They're extremely flexible predators," notes Siffreya Pedersen, the lead author of the study.

A privileged target

According to observations, the European honeybee remains the preferred target of the Asian hornet. "Our work provides important evidence of the threat that Asian hornets pose as they spread across Europe, exacerbating the decline of pollinators, already threatened by habitat destruction and pollution," states Dr Peter Kennedy from the University of Exeter (in England).

To preserve, protect and maintain the biodiversity of our ecosystems, the fight against the development of Asian hornets is more essential than ever.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: Futura-sciences - Illustration: ©Unsplash)