Why operating spring trap of the queens or foundresses of Asian hornet nests?

Scientists and beekeeping professionals are presenting the results of their work to propose a framework of practices for spring trapping of Asian hornet nest founders in line with the national plan to combat the Asian hornet.

The subject of trapping is controversial because of the insufficient selectivity of traps, and divides the world of people interested in protecting bees, pollinators and other insects.

Supporters of organised trapping argue that 10 foundresses eliminated by capture with a trap will have the impact of preventing a secondary nest that will consume 11 kg of dry insects during its season, while accepting that the trap will not be 100% selective, but it will have the merit of contributing directly to saving bee colonies and 159 other insect species.

The consequence of not destroying the pest with the trap is that the colony of hornets created by the queen (not destroyed by the trap) is left to consume the 11 kg of insects mentioned above. In this way, the hornet continues to reduce biodiversity.

Critics of this trapping practice consider that even a "selective" trap will destroy non-target insects.

 

BeesForLIfe has already developed an integrated reporting management tool with quotations for use by private individuals. This reporting management tool is intended for organisations that manage this type of issue (associations, local authorities, GDS, etc.).

BeesFoLife has decided to contribute to the national hornet control plan by creating a trapping monitoring module with the following objectives:

- to have a highly ergonomic and efficient automated tool that meets the monitoring requirements of the national spring control plan

- to build up reliable knowledge through a tool that will enable real observations in the field to be shared, from monitoring to reporting nests in a given area

- To enable organisations (associations, local authorities, GDS, etc.) that distribute traps to private individuals (and others) to "manage" their traps and to be able to communicate easily with their users to advise them on the comparative selectivity of their traps during their campaign in order to improve it.

The "trap monitoring" module is very accessible and easy to use: BeesForLife is a team of volunteers (non-profit association) that runs projects to protect bees and pollinators. To carry out these projects, BeesForLife is asking for a financial contribution for subscription to the module (tax-exempt donation or invoicing).