Press release - Presence of Asian Hornet in São Miguel
Angra do Heroísmo
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
On January 27, the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food was informed of a wasp nest on a private property in Areias de Rabo de Peixe, São Miguel Island. The appropriate investigation procedures were set in motion, and, in this respect, the São Miguel Agrarian Development Service sent a brigade to the site to collect the nest. After technical expertise, it was found to belong to individuals of the Vespa Velutina Nigrithorax species, commonly known as the Asian Hornet.
The Vespa Velutina Nigrithorax entered Mainland Portugal in 2011 and, as a result, a preventive surveillance system for the presence of this insect was set up in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Until this sighting, no evidence of this insect's presence had been detected in the Region.
This predatory insect causes serious negative impacts on the environment, biodiversity and beekeeping. It is also a problem for the safety of populations, as it is very aggressive when disturbed.
The Regional Directorate for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food and the São Miguel Agrarian Development Service have implemented an action plan to determine the location and geographical extent affected by this insect.
This plan includes a partnership with various organisations to prevent and attempt to eradicate the invasion at this early stage. Accordingly, the following steps were taken immediately:
- Creation of a brigade specialised in the distribution, assembly and monitoring of wasp traps;
- Creation of a safety perimeter within a 5-kilometre radius of the hotspot;
- So far, more than 30 traps have been installed on neighbouring land and the 18 apiaries within the intervention perimeter.
Therefore, it is necessary, from now on, to begin a series of procedures to establish active surveillance, capture specimens and destroy nests. Everyone's involvement is essential.
The Regional Directorate for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food will hold a training session on the Asian Hornet. The initiative will be conducted by João Casaca (National Federation of Portuguese Beekeepers) next Monday, February 10, at the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory Auditorium at 7 p.m.
In case of doubt or concern, citizens should contact the São Miguel Agrarian Development Service or the local council. Nests should not be destroyed without specialised technical support.
