The oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) as a potential vector of honey bee's pathogens and a threat for public health in North-East Italy

Background: Oriental hornets are large predatory hymenoptera that occur in the southern part of Asia and the southeastern Mediterranean. Among many pests of bee colonies, Vespa orientalis was recorded to be one of the most destructive.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to: (1) monitor the presence of pathogens carried by V. orientalis that could potentially threaten honey bees and public health; (2) describe the hornet's predatory behavior on honey bee colonies and (3) collect the medical history of a V. orientalis sting suffered by a 36-year-old woman.

Methods: Observations of V. orientalis predatory behavior and the catches of hornets for parasitological and microbiological examination, using molecular and bacteriological analyses, were carried out in three experimental apiaries, both in spring in order to capture the foundress queens and during the summer to capture the workers. Furthermore, the medical history and photographic documentation of a V. orientalis sting suffered by a 36-year-old woman have been collected.

Results: The results obtained highlight that V. orientalis is capable of causing serious damage to beekeeping by killing bees, putting under stress the honey bee colonies and by potentially spreading honey bee pathogens among apiaries. These hornets may also become a public health concern, since they are capable of inflicting multiple, painful stings on humans.

Conclusions: Only the development of an Integrated Management Control Program will be able to contain the negative effects of anomalous population growth and the potentially negative impact on honey bees and public health of V. orientalis.