[Animals] They warn the presence of the oriental hornet in various communes of the Metropolitan Region

[FNX Magokiler]

This animal, which is of Asian origin, is not considered a risk for people but it is for the agricultural and beekeeping sectors.

The sectors where more presence was registered in the last two years was in San Bernardo, Pirque and Maipú.

The call from the Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA) is to give notice in case of finding it, since it seeks to eradicate them.

The Agricultural Research Institute of Chile (INIA) warned about the presence of the oriental hornet in various communes of the Metropolitan Region, a species that does not represent a risk for people but does for the agricultural and beekeeping sectors.

In a photographic report of sightings of the last two years, carried out by the INIA La Platina Regional Center with the help of the community, it was reported that they were able to identify settlement foci for this new hornet in the capital, in which three communes stand out: San Bernardo, Pirque and Maipu.

"At the moment we have knowledge of the species and its usual behavior in other latitudes. It is known that the queen hibernates, builds nests in spring and works as workers in summer, like all wasps", explained Nancy Vitta, INIA La Platina researcher, to the organization's website.

 

 

In this line, Virginia Aguilar, research assistant in this same work area, believes that "this plague can still be eradicated, because it is very focused and in this way we will be able to avoid that in five or ten more years it could be a problem for beekeeping" .

As explained by INIA, this animal is native to Asia and among its main characteristics are that: it reaches a body length of 25 to 35 millimeters in adulthood and has yellow bands on its abdomen, while it feeds on nectar or fruits and preys on to other insects to feed proteins and sugars to their young, which means a potential risk for honey bees.

These insects are made up of a queen, workers, and males, and like those known as yellow jackets, they nest underground or in the attics of houses and sheds, building wasps' nests with fiber from trunks, mixed with saliva to form a powerful protective paste.

Since it is considered a plague, a call was made to the public to inform the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) or INIA itself if they see an oriental hornet.

 

https://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/pais/medioambiente/animales/advierten-presencia-del-avispon-oriental-en-diversas-comunas-de-la/2022-03-03/161006.html