Vespa velutina, first discovery in the province of Pisa – Animal husbandry
Vespa velutina it does talk about itself again, with another find in Tuscanythis time on the Pisan coast, marking for the first time its presence in the province of Pisa.
Precisely the Asian hornet was identified in municipality of Vecchianowithin the Regional Park of Migliarino Massaciuccoli and San Rossorein an apiary located in the pine forest near the sea, dedicated to the production of beach honeyone of the typical products of the park itself.
The find was made by Pietro Lucchiniagronomist and beekeeper, who arrived in the apiary early in the morning and noticed an anomalous flight in front of the hives.
Upon closer inspection, he detected the presence of at least 6 specimens from Vespa velutina in hunting activities, 1 of which entered the passenger compartment of the van where he could easily observe and capture it.
A specimen of Vespa venutila, captured under a queen-exclusion net
(Photo: Pietro Luchini)
The find was promptly reported to Laura Bortolotti del Crea and ad Antonio Felicioli – regional contact person for the network Stop Velutina of which, among other things, Luchini was a student and testist – who confirmed the identification.
As mentioned it is not the first find in Tuscanywhere the first report was that of an isolated case a Pietrasanta in the province of Lucca in 2017, followed in recent years by other finds always concentrated in the North West of the Region, in particular in province of Massa Carrara.
The discovery of Pisa, on the other hand, is located more than 30 kilometers as the crow flies from the areas of the latest reports in the Massa area, and the presence of more specimens hunting in front of hives suggests the presence of a nest.
It is also about the further south that it has been made of the Asian hornet, is at the regional level than at the level national.
The alert was therefore triggered and the appeal to enhance the monitoring activitywhich in this period it is advisable to do with one visual observation the presence of hornets in flight in front of the hivesas well as with food traps with beer as bait.