Novel Anti-Hornet Defense Systems Tested in Swiss Apiaries

In the picturesque landscape of the Jura canton, Swiss scientists are deploying innovative and slightly musical-sounding technology to protect one of nature's most vital insects. Beehives in the region are being fitted with electric harps and protective muzzles in a pioneering effort to combat the growing threat of the invasive Asian hornet (Vespa velutina). This crucial trial, the first of its kind in Switzerland, aims to provide beekeepers with effective, scientifically-backed tools to defend their colonies.

The Asian hornet, an invasive species, poses a significant danger to Switzerland's delicate ecosystem and agricultural sector. These predators are highly effective hunters of honeybees, often hovering in front of hives to catch returning foragers. This not only decimates the bee population but also induces high levels of stress within the colony, causing bees to become too frightened to leave the hive. As a result, foraging activity plummets, leading to reduced honey production and a weakened colony that is less likely to survive the winter. The impact extends beyond beekeeping, threatening the pollination services essential for many of Switzerland's crops and wildflowers.

Two primary devices are under scrutiny in the Jura trial. The first, the 'electric harp,' is a frame of alternating positive and negative wires placed before the hive entrance. When a large insect like an Asian hornet attempts to pass through, it touches two wires simultaneously, completing a circuit and receiving a fatal electric shock. Smaller insects, including honeybees, are typically unharmed as their body size only allows them to touch a single wire at a time. The second device is a 'muzzle,' a type of protective fence or cage that physically bars hornets from accessing the immediate vicinity of the hive entrance. This creates a safe zone, allowing bees to come and go without the constant threat of ambush.

The scientific study is being meticulously conducted by the International Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences (CABI) in partnership with the Fondation rurale interjurassienne (FRI). In Cornol, nine hives have been selected: three are equipped with electric harps, three with muzzles, and three have been left unprotected to serve as a control group. This setup allows for direct comparison. Lukas Seehausen, a research scientist at CABI, emphasized the project's goals: 'The aim is to have real quantitative and qualitative data, showing whether one or other measure makes sense, so that we can make recommendations.' The study will not only assess the devices' effectiveness in reducing hornet attacks but also their broader impact on bee health and any potential effects on native insect species.

While similar trials in France and Spain have seen electric harps kill hundreds of hornets daily, researchers are keen to quantify the impact within the specific context of the Jura's lower hornet density. The findings from this Swiss-first study will be crucial in developing a national strategy against the Asian hornet. If proven effective, these systems could be recommended to beekeepers across the country, offering a vital new line of defense. The project's collaborative nature, involving scientists, beekeepers, and students, underscores a community-wide commitment to preserving Switzerland's bee populations and, by extension, its agricultural and natural heritage.