Identification
Sa marque la plus fiable est l'extrémité jaune vif des pattes, sur un corps majoritairement noir velouté avec une seule large bande orangée à l'abdomen. Il est légèrement plus petit que le frelon européen et nettement plus sombre.
A species to report
The Asian hornet is not established in Quebec. If you think you have spotted one, photograph it from a distance and report it to the authorities; never approach a nest and never try to destroy it yourself.
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AYellow-tipped legs
Bright yellow leg tips on a dark body: this is the most reliable identification feature.
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BVelvety black thorax
An entirely black, velvety thorax, without the extensive yellow markings of the European hornet.
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COrange-banded abdomen
A dark abdomen bearing a single wide orange band towards the rear.
Worker
20 to 25 mm; hunts honeybees and other insects to feed the brood, often hovering in front of hives.
Life cycle
Annual colony · 4 stagesIn spring, a founding queen builds a small primary nest and lays the first eggs in it.
The larvae are fed meat prey (insects, honeybees) chewed up by the workers.
Transformation into an adult; the colony grows and often builds a large secondary nest high up.
Workers, future queens and males at the end of the season; only the mated young queens overwinter.
Not to be confused
Confused with other large hymenopterans found in Quebec.
Signs of activity
Ball-shaped nest high up
A large spherical paper nest, often high in a tree or under an eave, with a side entrance.
Predation in front of hives
Hornets hovering in front of honeybee hives, catching the bees in mid-air: a major warning sign.
An individual with yellow legs
A large dark hymenopteran with yellow leg tips; photograph it from a distance for reporting.
In Quebec, any probable sighting must be reported to the authorities (MAPAQ / CFIA); do not destroy a nest yourself.
Treatment
Monitoring bottle trap
- 1 Plastic bottle The body of the trap, with a funnel pointing inwards
- 100 ml Sweet bait (syrup, brown ale) Attracts founding queens in spring
- - Camera To document any capture for reporting
- Punch side entry holes in a bottle and pour the sweet bait into it.
- Hang the trap in the garden in spring and check the captures regularly.
- Photograph any suspicious capture and report it to the authorities without handling the live insect.
A hornet nest is dangerous: never approach one or try to destroy it; call in professionals.
Photograph it from a distance and report it to the authorities responsible for monitoring invasive species.
Spotting the nest from a distance
Observing without approaching
Watch for hornets hovering in front of the hives, a sign of predation.
Follow the hornets' flight path with your eyes towards a large nest high up, without approaching it.
Send the photos and the location to the authorities; let professionals handle the intervention.
Prevention
- Protect the hives
Fit entrance reducers and monitor the apiaries at the height of the predation season.
Apiary - Monitor in spring
Set out monitoring traps to detect founding queens early.
Garden - Report quickly
Early reporting is the best prevention against this species becoming established.
Monitoring
Frequently asked questions
Is the Asian hornet found in Quebec?
It is not established in Quebec; only a few isolated sightings have been reported. It is an invasive alien species under surveillance, not yet settled in the province.
Is it dangerous to people?
Its sting is painful but comparable to that of our local wasps for most people; the real risk is to people with allergies and to honeybee colonies.
Why is it a threat to honeybees?
The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) hunts honeybees in front of their hives and can weaken the colonies, which is why beekeepers monitor for it.
What should I do if I think I have seen one?
Do not try to destroy the nest yourself. Photograph the insect from a distance, report it, and let a professional confirm the identification and intervene if needed.