Vespa-Watch
The Asian hornet is an invasive species that cannot coexist with other bees and wasps, and prey on our bee colonies. Via the smartphone application iNaturalist and the Vespa-Watch website, you can discover everything there is to know about this species, en you can report any sightings of Asian hornets. This way, researchers and citizens monitor the invasion of Asian hornets.
The Asian hornet originates from China and was spotted in Flanders for the first time in the spring of 2017. This species has a negative impact on honey bees and wild bees. Therefore, it is important to document the invasion of this species. The project determines, with the help of beekeepers, if hornets that are hunting bees near beehives can be automatically detected.
This invasion can only be monitored with the help of citizens; in the first place beekeepers, firemen, naturelovers, and agricultural schools. The project has a portal where sightings of the Asian hornet can be registered.
