Spring Trapping: Capturing Queen Founders
Understanding Spring Trapping
Spring trapping is based on the life cycle of the Asian hornet. During this time, founding queens emerge from their winter lethargy to establish their first nest, known as a primary nest. This is the Asian hornet’s only moment of vulnerability, making it a crucial period for effective action.
In France, the National Plan to Fight Against the Asian Hornet provides guidelines and best practices for spring trapping.
Prioritize Clean and Effective Capture
It is essential to balance efficiency with selectivity. Spring trapping must respect biodiversity and use appropriate traps. If your trap catches non-target insects, stop trapping or adjust your approach.
Keep Records: Monitoring Your Captures
Spring trapping is different from summer trapping. A single hornet nest can produce around 100 foundresses, but only about 10 may survive the winter. These foundresses are dispersed over a large area, making it challenging to trap them effectively. Proper bait placement near flowers and pollinators increases success rates. Capturing 15 foundresses in a season is a good outcome.
Reporting Asian hornet nests is crucial for tracking their spread. Learn more about the importance of reporting nests here.
Systematic Tracking of Captures
Following national recommendations, it is essential to document your captures. Being selective, precise, and methodical ensures effective trapping.
General Guidelines for Spring Trapping
Spring trapping should be conducted for a maximum of two months, from early February to late May, depending on local climate. Trapping should begin when temperatures consistently exceed 12°C. Check the Asian Hornet Founding Queens Flight Index to determine the optimal trapping period in your region.
Effective bait is crucial. The most widely used bait consists of:
- 1/3 beer
- 1/3 red fruit syrup
- 1/3 white wine
Physical selection traps, such as creel traps with entrance cones, help retain foundresses and workers while allowing non-target species to escape. The entrance must be adapted to exclude larger insects like European hornets.
To maintain the effectiveness of pitfall traps, consider the following:
- Do not empty traps for a month.
- Refresh bait every 7 days.
A well-distributed grid of traps is essential around apiaries:
- 1–2 traps per apiary.
- Up to 10 traps within a 500m radius.
Traps should be monitored weekly, and captured insects recorded. Past nest locations should be considered for targeted trapping efforts.
How to Spring-Trap with Ornetin
For optimal results using Ornetin, follow these guidelines:
- Use liquid bait to create a strong-smelling attractant (1/3 beer, 1/3 red fruit syrup, 1/3 white wine).
- Pour the bait into the jar, adding grass or straw to prevent drowning.
- Place Ornetin in a vertical position in strategic locations (woodpiles, garden sheds, etc.).
- Monitor traps weekly.
Continue Learning
Spring trapping strategies have evolved over time. France remains at the forefront of research and action against the Asian hornet. Sharing best practices strengthens collective efforts. Learn more in our Scientific Series on Asian Hornet Queen Settlement and Trapping.
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