Vespe orientalis, there is an alarm in the capital:they are exterminating the Roman bees

In the network of Capitoline urban gardens, only the population of one hive out of the 34 present remains alive

ROME – The bees of Rome exterminated by the thousands by wasps orientalis. It is a real ecological alarm the one launched today by the Capitoline Environment Commission, meeting to take stock of the presence of this insect which, after the first report in 2022, is literally invading the territory of Rome.A presence so invasive that monitoring could now be triggered to try to contain the problem.Rita Di Domenicantonio, responsible for problematic animal species at the Environment department of Roma Capitale, made the picture of the situation clear.“First of all - said Di Domenicantonio - the difference between the common wasp and the vespa orientalis must be explained:the latter is larger than the former and has a reddish color with yellow bands.The vespa orientalis is a native hornet which in turn should not be confused with the vespa verutina, which is an even larger Asian hornet", but with a typical yellow and black color (present in Italy for about ten years), nor with the Mandarin wasp, also known as the Japanese giant hornet, a wasp that can even reach 5 centimeters in length but which fortunately has never been reported in Europe.
“This wasp - explained Di Domenicantonio - has always been present in the south, but following the high temperatures of recent years it has expanded its distribution area.We cannot eradicate it, but we can control its expansion.It must also be said that this wasp is not more aggressive than others, it only becomes so if you get close to the nest". However, one of its stings is much more painful and three stings together can cause very serious damage in fragile or predisposed subjects.

Oriental wasps are very attracted to food and waste, as well as kibble from pets.They make nests in tree cavities and in narrow cracks in buildings and their life cycle goes from March, when they develop, to autumn, when the queen and then the workers die.It is therefore important to intervene during the winter. But what should you do when you come across a nest? “Citizens' reports - concluded Di Domenicantonio - must be sent to the public relations office of the Municipality of Rome.If they are private individuals, the administrator must call the specialized companies, avoiding do-it-yourself.If the nest is located on public land then the Municipality can intervene.For reports in schools there is a resolution that entrusts the responsibility for the intervention to the Municipalities.Only in case of imminent danger can the fire brigade number be called."So far the question of the human-wasp relationship.But these insects, rather than targeting people, as mentioned are decimating Roman bees, a fundamental animal for the balance of various ecosystems.Just to give an example: at the Capital's biopark, out of four bee hives, three were destroyed by wasps.In the network of Capitoline urban gardens, only the population of one hive out of the 34 present remains alive.