Six years of controlling the invasive species Vespa velutina in a Mediterranean island: The promising results of an eradication plan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mar Leza ◽  
Cayetano Herrera ◽  
Gabriela Picó ◽  
Toni Morro ◽  
Victor Colomar
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
Mediterranean Island

scholarly journals Ensemble of Small Models As a Tool For Alien Invasive Species Management Planning: Evaluation of Vespa Velutina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Under Mediterranean Island Conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cayetano Herrera ◽  
José A. Jurado-Rivera ◽  
Mar Leza
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Alien Invasive Species ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Mediterranean Islands ◽  
Control Plan ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
Mediterranean Island ◽  
Small Models ◽  
First Time

Abstract Ecological niche models have proved to be a powerful tool in assessing invasiveness risk of alien species, allowing the optimization of control strategies. Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is an invasive species with strong ecological, economical and health impacts in Europe after it first report in France in 2004. It was detected for the first time in a Mediterranean island (Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain) in 2015, where a single nest was found in the northwest of the island. Immediately a control plan was implemented. In this study, we analysed 30 occurrence data in Mallorca island to assess the suitability distribution predicted to Mediterranean island conditions using ensemble of small models. We obtained high values of AUC (0.9165), Somers’ D (0.8331), Boyce (0.7611) and TSS (0.7754) as quality parameters of the final ensembled model. We show for the first time that there are suitable areas where this species can expand and stablish, mainly in steeper slopes and low isothermality zones. Likewise, the distribution suitability of V. velutina for other Mediterranean islands (Ibiza, Formentera, Menorca, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete and Cyprus) was also explored, showing potentially suitable zones. This study provides valuable information regarding the areas in the Mediterranean islands under risk of invasion, and it could be used by both scientists and managers for an early detection and control of the invasive species due to its cost-effectiveness in terms of conservation.

scholarly journals Human Fatalities Caused by Hornet, Wasp and Bee Stings in Spain: Epidemiology at State and Sub-state Level from 1999 to 2018

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xesús Feás
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Native Species ◽  
State Level ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
Castilla Y Leon ◽  
Low Levels

Epidemiology of fatalities in Spain due to hornet, wasp and bee stings (Cause Code of Death: X23) is described. Over a 20-year period (1999-2018), a total of 78 fatalities were recorded, mostly occurring in males (85.9%), of 65 years and older (52.6%), at “unspecified places” (67.9%) and in the months of July and August (50%). The X23 mortality rates (X23MR) expressed in terms of annual rates and per million inhabitants, varied from 0.02 to 0.19 (mean value ± standard deviation = 0.09 ± 0.05), placing Spain at low levels in comparison with other countries. A more detailed and specific breakdown of the distribution of the yearly deaths at Sub-state level and across communities reveals some striking features. They were more concentrated in the Communities of Galicia (35.8%), Andalucía (21.7%) and Castilla y León (12.8%). X23MR were estimated in Galicia at 1.82, 1.10 and 2.22 in 2014, 2016 and 2018 respectively; and in Asturias at 1.88 and 0.97, in 2014 and 2017 respectively. The role of the invasive species Vespa velutina (VV), is examined. Due to its habits, abundance and broader distribution, the risk that VV represents to human health is unmatched by other Hymenoptera native species.

scholarly journals All That Glitters Is Not Gold: The Other Insects That Fall into the Asian Yellow-Legged Hornet Vespa velutina ‘Specific’ Traps

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 448
Author(s):  
Omar Sánchez ◽  
Andrés Arias
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
First Record ◽  
Symbiotic Association ◽  
Drosophila Suzukii ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Vespa Velutina

The introduction of invasive species is considered one of the major threats to the biodiversity conservation worldwide. In recent years, an Asian invasive species of wasp has set off alarms in Europe and elsewhere in the world, Vespa velutina. The Asian wasp was accidentally introduced in France around 2004 and shortly thereafter it was able to colonise practically all of Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula. The ecological and economic implications of V. velutina invasion and its high colonisation ability have triggered widespread trapping campaigns, usually supported by beekeepers and local governments, with the aim of diminishing its population and its negative impacts. Among the most used control methods are the capture traps, which use a sugary attractant to catch the invasive wasps. However, the species-specific selectivity and efficiency of these traps has been little studied. In this paper, we have analysed the specific identity of the unintentionally trapped insect species from northern Spain (covering one-year period), as well as we have assessed the provided ecosystem services by them. A total of 74 non-target taxa of insects were caught by the V. velutina studied traps, most of them correspond to the orders Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera, the dipterans being the most abundant group. Surprisingly, the most abundant trapped species was the invasive fly, Drosophila suzukii that represented the 36.07% of the total catches. Furthermore, we reported the first record of ectoparasitic mites of the genus Varroa on V. velutina, constituting a newly recorded symbiotic association. Hopefully, the provided information helps to develop new protocols and management tools to control this invasive species in the Iberian Peninsula and other temperate areas of western Europe and the Mediterranean basin.

scholarly journals Sarracenia carnivorous plants cannot serve as efficient biological control of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax in Europe

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 41-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Anne Wycke ◽  
Romaric Perrocheau ◽  
Eric Darrouzet
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Carnivorous Plant ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Mass Trapping ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
Current Context

Vespavelutinanigrithorax, an invasive species, a direct result of increased trade and climate change, is spreading rapidly in Europe and endangering entomofauna in general and more alarmingly honeybee (Apismellifera) populations, and therefore their pollination services. All traps used now, to try to control this species, seem to be not efficient enough and non-selective. However, in the current context of massive disappearance of insects in general, it is urgent to find means of protection for the entomofauna. While no selective trapping is still occurring, we performed a pilot study to test a carnivorous plant as a potential biocontrol tool to trap V.velutina. In our study, we analyzed the hornet-capturing ability of two Sarracenia hybrids (S.juthatipsoper and S.evendine) on a 2-years period (2015 and 2016). Our results show that these plants trapped more dipterans than other taxa, and they do not attract many hornets. In such condition, both Sarracenia hybrids cannot therefore be used in a mass trapping system, because they are not selective, and too few hornets are trapped. To maximize captures of V.velutina while minimizing captures of non-target species, other systems need to be thus developed, as traps using hornet pheromone-based baiting.

scholarly journals Genetic and Morphological Variation of Vespa Velutina Nigrithorax, an Invasive Species in Mountainous Areas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuno Do ◽  
Woong-Bae Park ◽  
Jun-Kyu Park ◽  
Chang‐Jun Kim ◽  
Moon Bo Choi
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Wing Morphology ◽  
Mountainous Areas ◽  
Genetic Population ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
Building Activities

Abstract The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) is an invasive species in South Korea with negative economic, ecological, and public health impacts. We investigated genetic and morphological variation in the species populations on Mt. Jiri, the tallest mountain in South Korea. We hypothesized that a high-altitude would be negatively correlated with the genetic diversity of the hornet population, and hornet wing morphology would change with an increase in altitude. Our results showed that the genetic diversity of yellow-legged hornets did not decrease as altitude increased. Regardless of the altitude, the inbreeding coefficient was high at the newly colonized sites. A single genetic population occurred in the mountainous areas examined and gradually expanded its range. Wing morphology, especially shape, did not change with an increase in altitude or decrease in temperature. Although snow cover and cool temperatures at high altitudes could limit nest-building activities, they did not prevent the extension of the range of the species. Therefore, the yellow-legged hornet cannot be controlled naturally by climate or topography; combined approaches, including chemical control, nest removal, and bait-trapping techniques should be implemented.

scholarly journals Modelling Acacia saligna invasion in a large Mediterranean island using PAB factors: A tool for implementing the European legislation on invasive species

2020 ◽  
Vol 116 ◽  
pp. 106516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Lozano ◽  
Flavio Marzialetti ◽  
Maria Laura Carranza ◽  
Daniel Chapman ◽  
Etienne Branquart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Acacia Saligna ◽  
European Legislation ◽  
Mediterranean Island

The impact of the invasive species Vespa velutina on honeybees: A new approach based on oxidative stress

2019 ◽  
Vol 689 ◽  
pp. 709-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Leza ◽  
C. Herrera ◽  
A. Marques ◽  
P. Roca ◽  
J. Sastre-Serra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
New Approach ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Identification of pathogens in the invasive hornet Vespa velutina and in native Hymenoptera (Apidae, Vespidae) from SW-Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis B. Gabín-García ◽  
Carolina Bartolomé ◽  
Carla Guerra-Tort ◽  
Sandra V. Rojas-Nossa ◽  
José Llovo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Parasite Diversity ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
Host System ◽  
Vespa Crabro ◽  
Potential Impact

AbstractInvasive species contribute to deteriorate the health of ecosystems due to their direct effects on native fauna and the local parasite-host dynamics. We studied the potential impact of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina on the European parasite-host system by comparing the patterns of diversity and abundance of pathogens (i.e. Microsporidia: Nosematidae; Euglenozoa: Trypanosomatidae and Apicomplexa: Lipotrophidae) in European V. velutina specimens with those in the native European hornet Vespa crabro, as well as other common Hymenoptera (genera Vespula, Polistes and Bombus). We show that (i) V. velutina harbours most common hymenopteran enteropathogens as well as several new parasitic taxa. (ii) Parasite diversity in V. velutina is most similar to that of V. crabro. (iii) No unambiguous evidence of pathogen release by V. velutina was detected. This evidence together with the extraordinary population densities that V. velutina reaches in Europe (around of 100,000 individuals per km2 per year), mean that this invasive species could severely alter the native pathogen-host dynamics either by actively contributing to the dispersal of the parasites and/or by directly interacting with them, which could have unexpected long-term harmful consequences on the native entomofauna.

scholarly journals Human Fatalities Caused by Hornet, Wasp and Bee Stings in Spain: Epidemiology at State and Sub-State Level from 1999 to 2018

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Xesús Feás
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Native Species ◽  
State Level ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
Castilla Y Leon ◽  
Low Levels

Epidemiology of fatalities in Spain due to hornet, wasp, and bee stings (Cause Code of Death: X23) is described. Over a 20-year period (1999–2018), a total of 78 fatalities were recorded, mostly occurring in males (85.9%), of 65 years and older (52.6%), at “unspecified places” (67.9%), and in the months of July and August (50%). The X23 mortality rates (X23MR) expressed in terms of annual rates and per million inhabitants, varied from 0.02 to 0.19 (mean value ± standard deviation = 0.09 ± 0.05), placing Spain at low levels in comparison with other countries. A more detailed and specific breakdown of the distribution of the yearly deaths at the sub-state level and across communities reveals some striking features. They were more concentrated in the communities of Galicia (35.8%), Andalucía (21.7%), and Castilla y León (12.8%). X23MR were estimated in Galicia at 1.82, 1.10, and 2.22 in 2014, 2016, and 2018, respectively; and in Asturias at 1.88 and 0.97, in 2014 and 2017, respectively. The role of the invasive species Vespa velutina (VV) is examined. Due to its habits, abundance, and broader distribution, the risk that VV represents to human health is unmatched by other Hymenoptera native species.

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