The presence of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is no longer just a hypothesis or occasional…

The presence of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is no longer just a hypothesis or occasional sighting. In San Vito, a district of Taranto, the first active nest of this species ever documented in Puglia was found and subsequently removed, raising concerns among researchers, beekeepers, and authorities about potential impacts on the regional ecosystem. The nest, discovered on September 27 on a tree between five and ten meters high, contained adult hornets and larvae, indicating a fully developed colony. The Taranto Fire Brigade, assisted by experts from the Regional Association of Puglian Beekeepers, removed the nest and eradicated the entire colony.