Waarneming, a citizen science site for natural observations and biodiversity monitoring in the Netherlands, reported the first observation of Asian hornet, Vespa velutina, in the Netherlands.
Waarneming, a citizen science site for natural observations and biodiversity monitoring in the Netherlands, reported the first observation of Asian hornet, Vespa velutina, in the Netherlands.
The site, the Dutch version of the Observation.org project, reports that an adult of Vespa velutina was found in the small village of Dreischor on a Zealand island on September 17. In May, an adult of the insect was found about 100 km south to the current finding, in East Flanders, Belgium.
The Dutch Competent Authorities promptly notified the Commission and the other Member States, providing a swift early warning.
The collaboration between citizens and national Competent Authorities can greatly help in monitoring and managing the invasive alien species of Union concern, as requested by EU Regulation 1143/2014.
Picture: Charlesjsharp, via Wikimedia Commons