The appearance of the Asian horse wasp poses a serious threat to domestic beekeeping and the ecosystem. The new generation radio telemetry device developed in the joint research of MATE and BME can help find wasp nests more efficiently. The essence of the method is that a miniature transmitter is attached to the wasps, so they lead you to the nest. This technology, which is more advanced than currently available beacons, can significantly improve the efficiency of nest searching and contribute to slowing down the spread of the invasive species. When using the telemetry equipment park made available through groups of MATE researchers and beekeeper volunteers from Keszthely, the experts also work closely with international partners
Dr. Balázs Kolics and Éva Kolics-Horváth from the Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) have been conducting research and development activities in cooperation with the BME staff in the Asian region since the first domestic detection (August 2023) at the Georgikon Campus in Keszthely. in the area of protection against the yellow-legged horse wasp (Vespa velutina nighrithorax). MATE considers it important to use an approach based on scientific data in the protection against invasive species, as well as information on recent research advances. MATE’s Keszthely researchers work closely with international partners on the topic. For practical application, search groups of beekeeper volunteers equipped with foreign-style nest search platforms were created through the university’s cooperative organization (MKE) in the counties of Somogy and Zala, MATE says in its announcement.
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The need for control and damage caused by the Asian horse wasp
Table of Contents
- 0.1 The need for control and damage caused by the Asian horse wasp
- 0.2 The relevance of public perceptions
- 0.3 Chances of controlling the invasive horse wasp
- 0.4 Social involvement
- 1 How is the Asian horse wasp threatening domestic beekeeping in Hungary?
- 2 Controlling this invasive species. What are the potential ecological impacts of the Asian horse wasp on local ecosystems?
Table of Contents
There is no question that protection will be necessary even if the wasp has already spread irreversibly. This is the case in Western European countries, where the establishment of the species goes back decades and the wasp population has previously reached the stimulus threshold for causing damage. The goal of the researchers is to postpone the need for high-volume protection until as late as possible, so that the costs can be lower and will appear later. Based on Western European experience and scientific publications, the direct damage caused by the Asian horse wasp is significant from an ecological and agricultural point of view, and in the latter, it mostly affects the beekeeping, viticulture and fruit growing sectors.
The relevance of public perceptions
In addition to ecological and agricultural damage, however, most detections and reports come from the public. There is a logical, biological reason for this: it typically places its spring (so-called primary) nests in man-made facilities. However, the majority of the colonies – in contrast to the domestic horse wasps – move from these nests to the so-called secondary nests built at a maximum distance of 200 meters during the summer. Their typical location is usually a habitat where the triplet of the built environment, water and food source (e.g. beekeeping) can be found together.
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Chances of controlling the invasive horse wasp
The secondary nests of the Asian horse wasp – which release hundreds of future queens during the autumn – are extremely difficult to find in time. The reason for this is that they are mostly found on tall trees, in the cover of the canopy. Determining it using traditional methods, such as measuring the wasp’s flight direction or return speed to baits, is a time-consuming task.
This is especially true in the early period of the spread, when there are still few nests to be found, even though it is then that the spread could be slowed down with a greater chance of spreading in each detected focal point (as is currently being done, for example, in England and Hamburg). Unfortunately, when the job of finding a nest becomes easier – thanks to the many wasps that can be tracked – more nests have to be found in time, so there is less chance of slowing down the spread due to the release of a large number of queens. If the search for the nests did not represent a bottleneck, the chances would improve in the early period of protection. It would be a great help for the affected sectors to reduce the damages below the threshold in the given year.
Radio telemetry can be a solution for finding nests effectively. The key element of the radio telemetry system is a transmitter that can be attached to a wasp, with the help of which the wasp guides the researchers to the nest. The beacon itself is tracked using a directional receiver. Although the principle is not new, the optimized technique for finding Asian horse wasp nests has only existed since 2018, as the production and application of a transmitter with a mass of less than 0.2 g and a relatively long range involves many technical challenges. Currently available transmitters can be used, but in many cases they are burdened with range, signal strength, and frequency stability problems, and their acquisition is also quite expensive.
In the BME-MATE collaboration, Richárd Wohlfart and dr. The technical indicators of the transmitters developed by Ákos Miklós in 2024 show a significant advantage compared to previous transmitters in both laboratory and field measurements. When creating the transmitters, the aspects of innovation were reusability, long range, and low weight. In addition to better parameters, the new technology can also be competitive in price.
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The aim of our university is primarily research and development, but in terms of social responsibility, practical use is also emphasized as soon as possible. The radio telemetry platform successfully used for the first domestic detection and nest search in 2023 was further expanded by MATE’s partner association, the Magyar Krajnai Egyesület, on the model of the British Asian Hornet Action Teams. Two volunteer search groups have been established in the counties of Zala and Somogy, and we also have colleagues with nest search experience in the county affected last year. Direct notification of the search groups is possible directly through the velutina.hu information and monitoring interface.
On the interface, it is also possible for anyone to report an Asian horse wasp sighting. Currently, a total of four independent nest-finding devices are available in Hungary. Since this problem does not stop at the national border, the experts in Austria’s Burgenland region and in Slovakia also try to provide assistance in the construction of such platforms and the use of the technique, and the Slovak colleagues also help the Hungarian experts with their nest extermination experience.
Cover image source: Getty Images
How is the Asian horse wasp threatening domestic beekeeping in Hungary?
The Asian Horse Wasp: A Threat to Domestic Beekeeping and the Ecosystem
The sudden appearance of the Asian horse wasp (Vespa velutina nighrithorax) in Hungary poses a significant threat to domestic beekeeping and the ecosystem. This invasive species has been causing damage to bee colonies, viticulture, and fruit growing sectors in Western European countries for decades. To combat this threat, researchers from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) have developed a cutting-edge radio telemetry device to locate wasp nests more efficiently.
The Importance of Controlling the Asian Horse Wasp
The Asian horse wasp’s impact on the ecosystem and agriculture is undeniable. Its establishment in Western European countries has led to significant ecological and agricultural damage. In Hungary, researchers aim to delay the need for large-scale protection for as long as possible, reducing costs and minimizing the damage. Public perceptions play a crucial role in detecting wasp nests, as they often place their primary nests in man-made facilities.
Challenges in Controlling the Invasive Horse Wasp
Traditional methods of finding wasp nests, such as measuring flight direction or return speed to baits, are time-consuming and often ineffective. Secondary nests, which release hundreds of future queens during autumn, are particularly difficult to locate, as they are usually found on tall trees, hidden by the canopy. The development of a more advanced technology is essential to improve the efficiency of nest searching and slow down the spread of the invasive species.
Radio Telemetry: A Solution for Effective Nest Finding
Radio telemetry technology has emerged as a promising solution for finding wasp nests efficiently. This method involves attaching a miniature transmitter to a wasp, which guides researchers to the nest. Although the principle is not new, the optimized technique for finding Asian horse wasp nests has only existed since 2018, with significant technical challenges involved in producing a transmitter with a mass of less than 0.2 g and a relatively long range. The new technology developed in the BME-MATE collaboration shows a significant advantage over previous transmitters in both laboratory and field measurements, with improved parameters, reusability, and competitiveness in price.
Social Involvement and Practical Application
MATE’s researchers work closely with international partners, beekeeper volunteers, and local communities to develop practical solutions to combat the Asian horse wasp. Two volunteer search groups have been established in the counties of Zala and Somogy, utilizing the radio telemetry platform successfully tested for the first domestic detection and nest search in 2023. This collaborative approach ensures that the research is translated into tangible results, benefiting the affected sectors and slowing down the spread of the invasive species.
Protecting the Ecosystem and Agriculture
The Asian horse wasp’s impact on the ecosystem and agriculture is undeniable. By developing cutting-edge technologies and promoting social involvement, researchers and volunteers can work together to slow down the spread of this invasive species and protect Hungary’s domestic bee
Controlling this invasive species. What are the potential ecological impacts of the Asian horse wasp on local ecosystems?
The Asian Horse Wasp: A Threat to Domestic Beekeeping and the Ecosystem
The Asian horse wasp (Vespa velutina nighrithorax) poses a significant threat to domestic beekeeping and the ecosystem. This invasive species has already spread to several Western European countries, causing significant ecological and agricultural damage. In Hungary, researchers from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) have joined forces to develop a new generation radio telemetry device to combat the spread of the Asian horse wasp.
The Need for Control and Damage Caused by the Asian Horse Wasp
The Asian horse wasp is a highly invasive species that can cause significant damage to bee colonies, resulting in substantial losses for beekeepers. In addition to ecological and agricultural damage, the wasp also poses a threat to human health, as its sting can be painful and, in some cases, even life-threatening. The need for control and management of this invasive species is therefore essential to prevent further spread and minimize its impact on the ecosystem.
The Relevance of Public Perceptions
Public perceptions play a crucial role in the detection and reporting of Asian horse wasp sightings. As the wasp tends to place its primary nests in man-made facilities, most detections and reports come from the public. This is because the wasp’s secondary nests, which release hundreds of future queens during the autumn, are often located in habitats where the built environment, water, and food sources (e.g., beekeeping) come together. Public awareness and participation are essential in identifying and reporting Asian horse wasp sightings, which can help slow down the spread of this invasive species.
Chances of Controlling the Invasive Horse Wasp
Traditional methods of finding Asian horse wasp nests, such as measuring the wasp’s flight direction or return speed to baits, are time-consuming and often unsuccessful. The secondary nests of the Asian horse wasp, which are the most difficult to find, are typically located on tall trees, in the cover of the canopy. The new generation radio telemetry device developed by MATE and BME researchers offers a more efficient and advanced solution for finding these nests. By attaching a miniature transmitter to the wasps, researchers can track them back to their nests, significantly improving the chances of
