Long-term Vespa velutina nigrithorax pressure: Honey bee risk survival to alien invasion

Abstract The yellow-legged hornet is an invasive species that has been established in Galicia, northwestern Spain, since 2012. This hornet shows an increased level of invasiveness, which allows it to grow and spread rapidly throughout the territory. Furthermore, the climatic characteristics of the region have contributed to their establishment, with beekeeping being the most affected sector. The study aimed to monitor the predatory behavior of Vespa velutina and its correlation with environmental conditions, as well as the honey bee survival risk of the predation. Temperatures ranging from 17 to 26 °C were the most suitable for observing the higher number of hornets. The hornets were observed in front of the colonies for 16 h a day for 11 months. The presence of five or more hornets posed a risk to the survival of the honey bee colonies. Beekeepers should manage their colonies with artificial feeding and use control methods for survival against V. velutina.