Has the Asian hornet arrived in your municipality? It has doubled its expansion area in six years

Esther SánchezMontse Hidalgo PérezNovember 14, 2025 - 16:23Updated: November 14, 2025 - 17:00 CETShare on WhatsappShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on BlueskyShare on LinkedinCopy linkGo to comments

The Asian hornet or velutina (Vespa velutina nigrithorax), an exotic invasive species native to Southeast Asia, continues its relentless advance. The distribution area of the insect in Spain has doubled since 2018, increasing from 41,700 square kilometers to 88,900 (17% of the peninsular surface) as of December 31, 2024, according to the latest data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition. The province of Barcelona has experienced the most significant growth during this period (from 266 square kilometers in 2012 to 7,333), although it is established in all four provinces. Alongside the advance along the Mediterranean coast, the velutina has also expanded northward, especially through La Rioja, Navarra, and Asturias, as well as in parts of Badajoz and Cáceres. Galicia, where the velutina was already well established in 2012, remains one of its main strongholds.