The feared Asian hornet scares Turin with its “queen wasps” found in Cavoretto and surrounding areas. This was made known by the UniTo beekeeping teacher, Simone Tosilaboratory coordinator BeeLab of the University which is monitoring the phenomenon. The Asian yellow-legged predator (Vespa velutina) is particularly harmful to bees and risks jeopardizing the ecosystem. But it can also sting humans and in extreme cases kill them. The first and only nest of Asian hornets in Turin was discovered and destroyed last year also in the Cavoretto area. «Thanks to the monitoring we are carrying out in the city, at the moment, we have found six queen queens» explains the UniTo professor, thanking «the local beekeeping associations Aspromiele and CAPT for their essential collaboration».
One of the queens of the Vespe velutine found in Cavoretto
The question arises spontaneously: do these findings also pose a danger to humans? “If it is disturbed – explains Tosi – the Vespa velutina can sting humans like any hornet, but this is not its objective”. However, near the nests the attack can be violent: 8-12 stings can cause poisoning which requires hospitalization and, for those who are very allergic to its venom, a single sting can cause death. «The danger for humans – adds the teacher – is also due to the fact that Vespa velutina often builds its nests near urban areas or inside buildings for human use, such as greenhouses, sheds or terraces. Since it also eats fruit and meat, it could be attracted to those who organize picnics or barbecues.”
Not exactly a good sign ahead of the summer. «But – he underlines – it represents above all a serious danger for bees: it captures them in front of the hives and kills them to feed the numerous larvae present in its nests. Unlike the Asian bee – he adds – our bee is unable to defend itself adequately, so it hides in the hives and stops going out to collect the food (nectar and pollen) necessary to feed the family who thus risks dying of hunger, as well as to the consequent reduced honey production that would result”.
It is not yet clear how the wasp arrived in Turin. «Most likely through transport – explains Tosi -, from Liguria or from the Cuneo area where Asian hornet nests already exist».
The prevention work carried out by the University of Turin, in collaboration with local beekeeping bodies and associations is exhausting. «We study the health and behavior of pollinators, focusing on social and solitary bees. Our goal is to improve the understanding of the complex dynamics that regulate the environment through the study of pollinators, investigating the numerous anthropic and environmental stress factors that alter their health” explains the teacher, underlining the urgency of supporting these activities monitoring at local and regional level.
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