European Hornet at the Apiary
Krankheiten
The European hornet Vespa crabro is the only species of the genus Vespa originally native to Germany.
The European hornet Vespa crabro is the only species of the genus Vespa originally native to Germany. Workers grow to about three and a half centimeters, queens up to four centimeters. Colonies build their nests preferably in tree hollows, nest boxes, and behind wall cladding, less often hanging freely, and disband again in autumn.
Hornets hunt insects to provision their brood, including individual honey bees, which they catch at the entrance or on the landing board. For a healthy, strong colony, the loss remains within manageable limits. The pressure only becomes noticeable with very weak colonies, nuclei, or mating units in late summer. Unlike with the Asian hornet, the bees usually do not stop flying altogether.
Sensible measures at the apiary are therefore purely managerial: narrowing the entrances of weak units, not placing nuclei directly next to known nesting sites, keeping colonies strong and queenright, and keeping entrance areas free of food residue, which attracts additionally. Outside the immediate vicinity of the nest, hornets behave very peacefully.
The European hornet is under special legal protection in Germany. It is listed in the Federal Species Conservation Ordinance (Bundesartenschutzverordnung) and is thereby protected under the Federal Nature Conservation Act (Bundesnaturschutzgesetz). The animals may not be caught or killed, and their nests may neither be destroyed nor removed. Violations can be punished with substantial fines.
If a nest is actually located in a problematic spot, the responsible lower nature conservation authority should be contacted. Relocation or removal is only permitted with a special exemption and by qualified, officially recognized persons. Taking matters into one's own hands to fight, smoke out, or fill in nests is prohibited and also dangerous.