The Asian hornet (subspecies Vespa velutina nigrithorax) was likely introduced to Europe unintentionally through trade from China.

The first nest was found in France as early as 2004. Since then, the species has spread as far as Germany. Asian hornets had already been sighted in all federal states before 2020. 

The first nest in Wiesbaden was reported in Biebrich in 2023. It is now assumed that nests can be found in all of Wiesbaden’s suburbs.

The climate change that has already occurred provides favorable conditions for Asian hornets. It is considered certain that the population density of this hornet species in Germany will increase significantly in the future. The range in Europe will also continue to expand. Various studies estimate the rate of expansion in Europe to be between 78 and 100 km per year.

The larvae of the Asian hornet feed mainly on other insects. This is a cause for concern among beekeepers, as the workers of the Asian hornet prefer to lie in wait for their prey near beehives. This can lead to significant losses in bee colonies. Stress reactions also cause the bees to stop leaving their hive (a condition known as feeding paralysis). 

The Asian hornet could also pose an additional threat to native wild bee populations, which are already in decline. However, there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence on this matter.

For humans, individual Asian hornets are no more dangerous than those of the native species. Single stings do not cause any lasting harm to the human body in people who do not have an allergic reaction. However, the stings are extremely painful for a long time.

Problems can arise if one gets too close to the nests of the Asian hornet. In particular, the large summer nests contain significantly more individuals than those of the native hornet. At the peak of nest development, several thousand individuals may be present in a single nest. Furthermore, the inhabitants are highly defensive. If one gets too close to a nest, unpleasant encounters with the numerous hornets may occur.

The effects described above on (wild) bees and other insects are not caused by the hornets native to our region. While the occasional bee may indeed be on the native hornet’s menu, its hunting strategies are in no way comparable to those of the Asian hornet. Native hornets are also much more peaceful when you approach a nest. With a little caution, you can observe them there without any unpleasant encounters.

While Asian hornets are active only during the day, native hornets also fly in the evening and at night.

Individuals of the European and Asian hornet are easy to distinguish as they are similar in size and build but different in color:

The nests of the two species also show distinct differences.

Especially in spring, during the initial phase of nest building (typically starting in April, though possible much earlier in mild weather), so-called primary nests of the Asian hornet are frequently found in areas close to the ground. Over the course of the year, secondary nests are built by the workers and grow into large structures. Secondary nests are usually found at higher elevations. Often in tree canopies, where they are shielded from view by the leaves but still catch the eye due to their sometimes enormous size.

Despite intensive control measures by the state of Hesse following the discovery of the first nests, the Asian hornet population could not be effectively reduced. The Asian hornet is now considered firmly established in Hesse—as in other federal states as well.

Since March 2025, the Asian hornet has also been classified as a “widespread species” under EU Regulation No. 1143/2014. With this status, the previously applicable obligation to immediately remove all nests no longer applies. The previously existing reporting requirement has also been lifted. 

As a result, the state of Hesse has, in principle, no longer covered the costs of removing Asian hornet nests since August 1, 2025. These costs must be borne by the respective property owners.

Pursuant to Section 43(1) of the Hessian Nature Conservation Act (HeNatG), responsibility for management measures concerning the species listed in Article 19 of EU Regulation 1143/2014 lies with the lower-level nature conservation authorities. The decision on whether management measures (which generally involve nest removal) should be carried out is based on whether the species poses a threat to nature conservation interests. Each case is examined individually to determine whether high-quality habitats are affected, whether protected (rare) species are endangered, or whether there is an adverse impact on biodiversity. The assessment also takes into account the location and type of the nest. 

The Wasp, Bee, and Hornet Advisory Office at the Environmental Agency works to ensure that Asian hornet nests are removed. To do this, staff rely on support from the public: please report sightings of Asian hornet nests (not individual insects) with photographic evidence (to confirm that it is indeed an Asian hornet) and precise location details to landschaftsschutzwiesbadende. 

Even though the reporting requirement no longer applies, the Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment, and Geology (HLNUG) is still interested in your report so that it can continue monitoring the species. You can find the link to the reporting tool under “Further Information.”

Nests in which worker wasps are already active should be removed exclusively by qualified personnel (wasp consultants, beekeepers, pest control specialists), even if they are easily accessible, as the wasps will fiercely defend their nests. Contact information for such professionals can be obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency, especially since not all pest control companies perform the removal of Asian giant hornet nests. Removing primary nests is more effective and cost-efficient than removing secondary nests, which often contain several thousand insects and are highly likely to be located in hard-to-reach, elevated places. 

It is important to ensure, prior to removing hornet nests, that they belong to the Asian hornet and not the European hornet. The European hornet, like all native bumblebees and wild bees, is specially protected under the Federal Species Protection Ordinance (Section 44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)). For the relocation or removal of European hornet nests, as well as those of all native bumblebees and wild bees, a special permit (§ 67 BNatSchG) from the local nature conservation authority is required. This permit can only be granted for valid reasons. 

Since the Asian hornet is an established, invasive species, no official approval is required for the removal of nests of this species.

The advisory office at the Environmental Agency is happy to assist with species identification.