An extensive campaign to combat the Asian hornet (avispa velutina) is ongoing in Galicia, as this invasive species has become a serious threat to the local ecosystem and residents in recent years. Regional authorities have announced plans not only to maintain, but also to strengthen, a comprehensive set of measures to control the spread of this dangerous pest.
Since the beginning of the year, over 19,600 nests have already been destroyed in the region, with the largest number found in the province of Pontevedra—where specialists located and eliminated more than 9,000 nests. In A Coruña, the figure has exceeded 7,000; in Lugo, almost 2,000; and in Ourense, more than 2,000 nests. This large-scale effort has been made possible by the coordinated work of special services and the implementation of new detection technologies.
The regional government has allocated €1.7 million to fight the hornets, which will allow not only the continuation of current efforts, but also their expansion. Special emphasis is being placed on prevention: this year, 18,500 traps were set, doubling the number of queen hornets caught compared to last year. While previously just over 113,000 specimens were captured, this year the number has surpassed 230,000. Such results have been achieved thanks to the active participation of local residents and ongoing training of specialists.
In October, especially during the third week of the month, the number of reports about nest sightings surged—with 1,738 alerts in just one week and over 6,300 for the entire month. Another peak in activity occurs in August, largely due to high temperatures and the hornets’ ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions.
Prevention and Public Awareness
Regional authorities are focusing not only on physically destroying nests, but also on raising public awareness. Active educational campaigns are underway to ensure residents know how to identify the dangerous insect and where to report a nest if they find one. Special attention is given to training specialists responsible for capturing and destroying hornets—regular seminars and training sessions are held for them.
Since the launch of the special plan to combat the Asian hornet, the number of public reports has dropped by a quarter. This indicates that a comprehensive approach is delivering tangible results. Authorities are confident that further strengthening of measures will help contain the spread of this dangerous species even more effectively, protecting both people and the local flora and fauna.
