Something Started Killing Giant Asian Hornets by Millions in Europe and This Is What Is a Predator

Summary

The video describes the spread of the invasive Asian hornet across Europe and examines the native European honey buzzard as a possible natural predator.

Arrival and spread

The account traces the hornet’s arrival to a fertilized queen transported from China to Bordeaux in 2004. After founding a colony, the hornets spread through natural queen dispersal and accidental transport. In Galicia, recorded nest numbers rose from two in 2012 to tens of thousands by 2018–2020.

Life cycle

In spring, a queen begins a small nest alone, building cells, laying eggs, and feeding the first larvae. When workers emerge, they take over foraging, nest-building, and defense. Colonies may later move to larger nests and produce thousands of hornets, including new queens.

Ecological and human impacts

Asian hornets prey on honeybees and many other insects. One study cited in the video identified at least 159 prey species. Hornets hovering near hives can deter honeybees from foraging and weaken colonies. Nests near homes and other buildings may also pose a risk, particularly if disturbed.

Control efforts

European control measures include spring bait traps for queens, locating and destroying established nests, tracking worker hornets back to their colonies, and using electric harps to intercept hornets near beehives.

The video reports that trapping and nest removal kill large numbers of hornets but do not prevent reinvasion. In one crop-protection experiment, doubling or tripling standard trap density did not reduce fruit damage. Hornets can travel substantial distances and may move in from neighboring areas. According to the video, France’s 2026 plan focuses on limiting damage rather than eradicating the hornet.

Honey buzzards as predators

Researchers identified Asian hornet comb fragments in European honey buzzard nests. The birds raid hornet nests, eat larvae and pupae, and feed pieces of comb to their chicks.

The video describes several features that help honey buzzards withstand attacks: dense, scale-like feathers around the face, a protective third eyelid, and covered nostrils. It also reports that the birds have natural resistance to hornet venom.

Reported research findings

• In one survey, Asian hornets were found in every honey buzzard nest examined.
• A pair of buzzards was estimated to attack 34–61 hornet colonies in a breeding season.
• Buzzard breeding was recorded across more forest sites after hornets became abundant, with pair density reportedly increasing by about 300%.
• In a later tracking study, 89.3% of attacked hornet nests were reportedly destroyed and abandoned. Destruction rates were higher for underground nests than for aerial nests.
• Worker hornet numbers also declined near buzzard nests, especially late in the season.

Methodologies Mentioned

• Queen trapping: Baited traps are deployed in spring, when founding queens emerge from winter shelters and begin building nests.
• Nest tracking: A worker hornet is captured at an apiary, fitted with a miniature tracking tag, and followed as it returns to its colony.
• Nest removal: Crews locate nests and inject them with insecticide, then remove, burn, or seal them.
• Hive protection: Electric harps are installed in front of beehives. Larger hornets touch charged wires, while honeybees can pass through.
• Diet and nest surveys: Researchers examine honey buzzard nests and preserved comb material to identify prey and determine whether comb came from Asian hornets.
• GPS monitoring and comparison sites: Adult honey buzzards are fitted with GPS trackers, nearby hornet nests are surveyed, and areas around buzzard nests are compared with control sites.

Researchers and Sources Featured

• No individual researchers are named in the subtitles.
• Ornithologists conducting routine raptor surveys in Galicia.
• Researchers studying honey buzzard diets and behavior in 2018–2019.
• Researchers conducting a later GPS-tracking study of 11 adult honey buzzards and surveying 17 nests.
• Galician regional data on hornet traps, nest counts, apiaries, and control efforts.
• France’s national plan on the Asian hornet, announced in September 2026.