Asian hornet at a beehive. Close-up of an indiviual of the invasive Asian hornet species Vespa velutina,during an attack on a beehive. The head,thorax,abdomen,legs,wings,antennae and mouthparts are all clearly seen here. This hornet,also called the Asian predatory wasp,first appeared in France in around 2004,and has been spreading,attacking people and preying on native honeybee species. Once a beehive is found,this hornet will leave pheromones to attract other predatory hornets,and the entire population of bees can be killed within hours. Photographed in France,in 2010 |