Rotterdam beekeeper Willem Schaaij warns about the rapid spread of the Asian hornet, an…

Rotterdam beekeeper Willem Schaaij warns about the rapid spread of the Asian hornet, an invasive wasp species present in Europe since 2004. This hornet preys on honey bees and is often found near Schaaij's hives, where it can catch up to 400 bees per day in warm weather and bring them to its nest.

Schaaij estimates that his colonies lose between 4,000 and 12,000 bees within thirty days due to this predation. Bees also become stressed by the constant presence of hornets, reducing their flight activity, which can lead to lower honey production and pollination. He calls the species an ecological disaster and believes the Dutch government is not doing enough.