In many regions of Europe, honeybees are increasingly under pressure – not only through pesticides, diseases and habitat loss, but also through the invasive Asian hornets. Researchers in the Swiss canton of Jura are now testing unusual protective measures: electrical harps and “muzzle” for beehives are intended to prevent hornets from chasing the valuable pollinators. Does that really work – and how much the bees benefit from it?
The Asian hornets (Vespa Velutina) was first detected in Southwest France in 2004 and has been spreading across Europe rapidly since then. In the meantime, it has been based in Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The Asian hornets are not more aggressive towards people than the local European hornets, but it is a serious threat to honeybees. The bees hunt the bees tirelessly on the stick entrances, which can lead to considerable losses in the colonies. The animal intruder is therefore considered a large threat to honey production and the locals
