First report of Vespa velutina in Italy
The presence of the invasive alien species, Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae – Indian hornet), is reported for the first time in Italy. An adult specimen was collected at the end of 2012 in the province of Savona, Liguria region. V. velutina is not a plant pest but is a predator of social insects, and in particular of honey bees, which has been introduced from Asia into France in 2005 (see EPPO RS 2007/197).
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2013-07).