Early Alarm on the First Occurrence of the Southern Giant Hornet Vespa soror du Buysson, 1905 (Vespidae) in Europe.

ABSTRACT: An eco-monitoring program to assess the biodiversity of insects affected by yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) trapping in the north of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) revealed the first occurrence of the southern giant hornet Vespa soror (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) on the European continent. We present a detailed characterization, combining morphological characteristics and molecular tools for genetic identification, as well as key information on its identification with respect to other hornets found on the Iberian Peninsula. We discuss the most plausible pathways and vectors of introduction, its potential invasiveness, and subsequent impacts on host localities. Our preliminary results raise concerns about the potential threat of V. soror to human health and ecosystem dy

SUBMITTER: Sanchez O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11549532 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature