European hornet

Systematic position: The European hornet (Vespa crabro) is classified under the order Hymenoptera and the family Vespidae. As a eusocial insect, it creates complex nests and exhibits a highly organized colony structure led by a single queen.

Damaged crops and pest status: In horticultural settings, hornets are considered opportunistic pests. They target soft fruits such as grapes, pears, peaches, and apples. By consuming the flesh of ripening fruits, they ruin the harvest quality and create favorable conditions for secondary rot and fungal pathogens.

Biology and lifecycle: The cycle begins when a hibernating queen emerges in spring to establish a nest. She raises the first generation of workers, which then take over nest expansion and foraging duties. By late summer, the colony reaches its peak population size before producing reproductive individuals that will overwinter.

Nature of damage: Besides feeding on fruits, hornets strip bark from young twigs and branches to collect cellulose fibers for nest building. This behavior causes physical damage to the trees, resulting in girdling and increased susceptibility to diseases, which can weaken young saplings significantly.

Protection measures: Integrated pest management (IPM) for hornets relies on habitat modification and physical removal. Common practices include:

• Deploying pheromone or fermentation-based traps.
• Removing fallen fruit promptly to eliminate food sources.
• Locating and removing nests safely during nighttime hours.
• Using protective netting on fruit trees during peak harvest periods.