Beekeepers and researchers in France are testing ultra-light beacons attached to Asian hornets to locate and destroy their nests [1].
The technology aims to protect honeybee populations from a predator that can decimate up to 30% of bees in affected apiaries [4]. Because hornet nests are often difficult to spot, these tracking devices allow for a more direct approach to eradication.
The project is being conducted in the Pays-de-la-Loire region, with specific involvement from the Centre d'études et techniques apicoles de Loire-Atlantique [1]. The tracking kit uses a beacon weighing approximately 0.1 gram [3], which is small enough to be carried by the insect without significantly impeding its flight.
Once a hornet is tagged and released, the beacon allows beekeepers to follow the insect back to its colony. This method addresses a persistent challenge in pest control, as nests are found in varying locations. Some reports indicate nests are often hidden in the tops of trees, while other observations suggest they have been appearing closer to the ground [2, 4].
Florent Coletta, who developed the beacon system, said the project began as a technical challenge before the health stakes for the bee population became the primary driver. The testing of the system was reported as early as July 12 [3].
By pinpointing the exact location of the nests, the researchers hope to reduce the time spent searching for colonies and increase the success rate of nest destruction. This precision is critical for protecting the local ecosystem, and the livelihoods of beekeepers in the Loire-Atlantique area [1, 2].
“The tracking kit uses a beacon weighing approximately 0.1 gram.”
The deployment of micro-beacons represents a shift toward precision agriculture and pest management. By utilizing the natural homing instincts of the Asian hornet, researchers can bypass the labor-intensive process of manual nest searching, potentially slowing the decline of pollinator populations in Western Europe.
