Record number of insects sighted in Flanders, with Asian hornet leading the list
A record 2.2 million insects were reported during Insect Summer, a campaign by conservation organisation Natuurpunt to count sightings of different species in Flanders. At the top of the sightings list is the Asian hornet, an exotic species that has been the subject of debate in recent months.
According to Natuurpunt, its prominence in public debate explains its first-place listing, as it is not actually the most common insect in Flanders. The field bumblebee and the common bumblebee follow on the list.
The Asian hornet is not the only exotic insect to make its mark. The Asian ladybird also reached the top 10, while other non-native species, such as the brown marmorated shield bug, the Mexican blackstem and the Asian longstem digger wasp, were reported far more often than in previous years.
The Australian vedalia beetle, Japanese beetle and American cicada Metcalfa pruinosa appeared in Flanders for the first time.
“Not all exotic species are harmful, but the rapid increase is worrying,” said Wim Veraghtert of Natuurpunt. “Some species cause damage to agriculture and nature and pose economic risks.”
Two other firsts were also recorded last summer: the hoverfly Eristalinus taeniops and the little tiger blue butterfly.
Natuurpunt says that certain factors influenced the record figures. A spell of good weather encouraged greater participation in the count, with numbers up by a third, while a media campaign featuring well-known Flemish personalities also helped boost reporting.
#FlandersNewsService | Asian hornets © BELGA PHOTO MARC DIRIX
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