Asian Hornet Nest Removed in Leipzig

Following the first sighting of the Asian hornet in Saxony, the nest was discovered and removed in Leipzig. It was hanging high up in a larch tree on church property in the Grünau district, said Michael Hardt, chairman of the Saxon Beekeepers’ Association. The “Sächsische Zeitung” had previously reported on the incident.

According to the report, experts wearing special suits approached the nest and removed it with the help of a fire department ladder truck. The nest was still under construction, likely only two or three weeks old.

According to Hardt, the discovery came just in time. This is because, in late fall, an average of 300–500 young queens emerge from the nest. These overwinter in hiding places and each establish their own new colonies the following year. This proliferation has now been prevented.

Asian hornet chasing bees away from their hive

The Asian hornet is smaller than its European relative but more aggressive. It is also slightly darker in color. Originally native to Southeast Asia, it was likely introduced to Europe via imported goods. According to the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), it was first detected in Germany in 2014 near Karlsruhe.

According to the State Office, Asian hornets generally behave defensively. However, if their nest is threatened, they may display strong defensive behavior. Therefore, one should always maintain a distance of five meters from nests. For honeybee colonies, however, the hornet can become a problem, as it hunts the bees.