project - EIP-AGRI Operational Group
"Integrated Biological Control of Vespa velutina: Multidisciplinary Approaches and Innovative Measures" BIOVESP
“Control biológico Integrado de Vespa velutina: Enfoques Multidisciplinarios y Medidas Innovadoras” BIOVESP
Contexte
V. velutina is an invasive species with uncontrolled expansion throughout the territory since it lacks natural predators . The presence of V. velutina causes problems in different areas:
- Socioeconomic: the Asian hornet feeds on insects, including bees, to cover the protein needs of the larvae. Adult insects feed on different sugary liquids such as nectar from flowers and shrubs, ripe fruits, sugary excretions of aphids, and tree bark sap. V. velutina hunts bees, catching them in flight or hunting those that are at the entrance. Predation in hives induces stress, affecting the health of bees, the persistence of attacks paralyzes the collection of nectar and pollen, reducing survival of the colonies of bees, significantly affecting the beekeeping sector.
Regarding the agricultural sector, they have an impact on pollination (bee predation generates changes in the frequency of floral visits and the behavior of pollinators, affecting pollination services) and on products (there are many fruits which are bitten and eaten by wasps, particularly in fruit trees near nests).
As the population of Asian hornets expands, more means and resources are necessary to try to minimize the damage caused by this species, which represents a significant increase in the annual costs allocated to these actions. Beekeepers, farmers and administrations make important investments of time and resources to minimize these impacts.
- Biodiversity: Asian wasps prey on many pollinating insects, which has a direct impact on pollination and an indirect impact on plants . Native species are affected by the invasions through other processes such as the transmission of pathogens, genetic contamination by hybridization or by competition for sometimes scarce resources (in the case of nectar, its consumption by an abundant population of invasive nectarivores promotes the displacement of native species by competition which promotes the expansion of other invasive species and changes at the ecosystem level).
- Public health: The increase in the number of nests, increases the risk of possible bites that can have serious consequences and generate health problems.
The control of the population of Asian hornets is essential and necessary to try to control the uncontrolled expansion of the species and minimize the harmful and serious effects it causes.
Activities
Development and production of new productsTo capture the Asian wasp, a commercial trap will be used, and its structure will be modified to allow the entry of V.velutina.For live capture, the same trap is used and a slightly conical plastic basket will be placed at the base of its interior, which will be placed inverted so that the organisms that access the trap have limited contact with the attractant, that is, , they may consume it as food but they will not be submerged in it, they will not drown and they may be collected alive to carry out the tests.Using commercial products used for human consumption, specific attractants will be designed for traps to capture and capture live V. velutina.
For the development of the project, it is intended to compare the control action on V.velutina by three types of products existing on the market.
For this purpose, the following activities will be carried out:Installation of new hivesSetting up catch traps and live catch traps
Activities
Desarrollo y elaboración de nuevos productos
Para la captura de avispa asiática se utilizará una trampa comercial, y se modificará su estructura para permitir la entrada de V.velutina.
Para la captura en vivo sé utiliza la misma trampa y se depositará en la base de su interior una cesta ligeramente cónica, de plástico, que se situará invertida de manera que los organismos que accedan a la trampa tengan contacto limitado con el atrayente, es decir, podrán consumirlo como alimento pero no quedaran sumergidos en él, no se ahogaran y podrán ser recogidas con vida para la realización de los ensayos.
A partir de productos comerciales utilizados para la alimentación humana, se diseñarán unos atrayentes específicos para las trampas de captura y captura en vivo de V. velutina.
Para el desarrollo del proyecto, se pretende comparar la acción de control sobre V.velutina por parte de tres tipos de productos existentes en el mercado.
Para este fin se procederá al desarrollo de las siguiente actividades:
Instalación de colmenas nuevas
Instalación de trampas de captura y trampas de captura en vivo
Project details
- Main funding source
- CAP Strategic Plans 2023-2027 for Operational Groups
- Additional funding source
- Private funding
- Project contribution to EU Strategies
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- Reducing the overall use and risk of chemical pesticides and/or use of more hazardous pesticides
- Protecting and/or restoring of biodiversity and ecosystem services within agrarian and forest systems
- Improving animal welfare
- Territorial scope
- Cross-border
Budget information
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EAFRD contribution EUR 134 480.73
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National co-financing EUR 33 620.18
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Other financing EUR 13 258.75
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EAFRD contribution EUR 188 285.17
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National co-financing EUR 47 071.29
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Other financing EUR 13 258.75
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EAFRD contribution EUR 123 924.80
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National co-financing EUR 30 981.20
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Other financing EUR 13 258.75
Project keyword
2 Practice Abstracts
El proyecto de control integrado biológico de Vespa velutina tiene como objetivo principal desarrollar e implementar estrategias innovadoras para el manejo local efectivo de esta avispa invasora, minimizando su impacto en las poblaciones de abejas nativas y la apicultura.
1. Desarrollo de nuevos atrayentes y métodos de captura: diseñar y desarrollar atrayentes específicos para Vespa velutina a partir de productos alimenticios comerciales, optimizar el diseño de las trampas para mejorar la captura de Vespa velutina.
2. Evaluación de la eficacia de los hongos entomopatógenos: susceptibilidad de Vespa velutina a diferentes cepas de hongos entomopatógenos, identificando las más prometedoras para el control biológico.
3. Evaluación de la efectividad de larvicidas específicos: identificar y seleccionar larvicidas específicos que sean efectivos contra las larvas de Vespa velutina sin afectar negativamente a las poblaciones de abejas u otros organismos no objetivo.
4. Desarrollo de un protocolo de control integrado: El protocolo IBC incluirá recomendaciones sobre la selección y aplicación de atrayentes, hongos entomopatógenos, larvicidas específicos y otras medidas de control, considerando factores como la ubicación, la severidad de la infestación y las características del entorno.
5. Impacto en la apicultura y la biodiversidad: el control efectivo de Vespa velutina contribuya a la preservación de la biodiversidad local, protegiendo a otras especies de insectos polinizadores y manteniendo el equilibrio de los ecosistemas.
6. Divulgación y transferencia de conocimiento: publicaciones científicas, presentaciones en congresos y talleres, y materiales divulgativos para beekeepers, gestores de plagas y el público en general.
The main objective of the Vespa velutina integrated biological control project is to develop and implement innovative strategies for the effective local management of this invasive wasp, minimizing its impact on native bee populations and beekeeping.1. Development of new attractants and capture methods: design and develop specific attractants for Vespa velutina from commercial food products, optimize the design of traps to improve the capture of Vespa velutina.2. Evaluation of the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi: susceptibility of Vespa velutina to different strains of entomopathogenic fungi, identifying the most promising ones for biological control.3. Evaluation of the effectiveness of specific larvicides: identify and select specific larvicides that are effective against Vespa velutina larvae without negatively affecting populations of bees or other non-target organisms.4. Development of an integrated control protocol: The IBC protocol will include recommendations on the selection and application of attractants, entomopathogenic fungi, specific larvicides and other control measures, considering factors such as location, severity of infestation and characteristics of the environment. .5. Impact on beekeeping and biodiversity: effective control of Vespa velutina contributes to the preservation of local biodiversity, protecting other species of pollinating insects and maintaining the balance of ecosystems.6. Dissemination and transfer of knowledge: scientific publications, presentations at conferences and workshops, and informative materials for beekeepers, pest managers and the general public.
Seek innovative integrated biological control strategies for Vespa velutina using novel approaches to achieve local control and reduce beekeeping losses.
Experiment with the use of entomopathogenic fungi, larvicides, and broad-spectrum biocides as part of integrated control.
And develop an integrated control protocol for V. velutina
Awareness and training for the population, through public awareness campaigns to inform about the threat posed by the Vespa velutina and promote responsible control practices. And through training programs for beekeepers, training them in the management, control and prevention of the Asian wasp.
Buscar nuevas estrategias innovadoras de control biológico integrado de Vespa velutina mediante nuevos enfoques , para controlar de forma local y reducir perdidas del sector apícola.
Nuevos productos para el control de la avispa asiática, mediante la adecuación de trampas y formulado de atrayentes.
Metodologías integradas replicables, mediante protocolos de control adaptables a las características específicas de cada sistema apícola, considerando factores como la densidad de población de la avispa y la disponibilidad de recursos.
Concienciación y formación para la población, mediante campañas de sensibilización pública para informar sobre la amenaza que representa la Vespa velutina y promover prácticas de control responsables. Y mediante programas de formación para apicultores , capacitándolos en la gestión, control y prevención de la avispa asiática.
Mejora de la vitalidad de las colmenas y mejora económica de las explotaciones apícolas, mediante la reducción de la presión de avispa asiática en los colmenares aumentando tasas de supervivencia y producciones.
Contacts
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