They remove the first oriental hornet nest in Menorca
The Government's technicians have located the colony in Mahon thanks to small transmitters placed on the workers, a technique used for the first time in the Balearic Islands
PalmaThe oriental hornet has already nested in Menorca. The Government's Species Protection service and the Consortium for the Recovery of the Fauna of the Balearic Islands (Cofib) have located and removed the first nest of this invasive species detected on the island in Maó. With this finding, the Balearic Islands have totaled seven nests since 2025: five in Mallorca, one in Ibiza, and one in Menorca.
The intervention began on September 21st, when an individual reported through InvasApp that they had seen suspicious specimens. The technicians analyzed the provided information, confirmed that it was an oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) and began monitoring to find the nest.
To locate it, they placed small radio-tracking transmitters on some specimens. This technique, used for the first time in the Balearic Islands, allows for tracking the movements of the workers to the colony and facilitates the detection of nests that are difficult to find using standard methods. The devices were acquired with European Next Generation funds.
The monitoring allowed for the nest to be found on October 4th. Once located, the action protocol was activated and it was completely removed to prevent the spread of the species and the formation of new colonies.
Six nests this year
Of the seven nests detected so far in the Archipelago, six have been located this year. The first was found in Esporles in 2025. Mallorca now has five, while the one in Ibiza was detected in the town of Jesús, in the municipality of Santa Eulària des Riu. The one in Maó is the first on Menorca.
The oriental hornet is native to southeastern Europe, Central Asia, and northeastern Africa, but in recent years it has expanded its distribution area. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, its presence may threaten beekeeping and populations of pollinating insects.
Adults feed mainly on nectar, ripe fruit, and other sources of sugar. The larvae, on the other hand, need animal protein to develop. To feed them, the workers capture other insects, among which are honey bees.
The Government asks that anyone who observes suspicious specimens or possible nests should not handle them and should notify the Species Protection Service. Whenever possible, it is advisable to provide photographs that facilitate identification. Communications can be made through InvasApp, by email especies@dgcapea.caib.es, by phone 971 784 956 and by WhatsApp 606 875 244.