The Asian hornet is seen as a potential threat to native insects and bee colonies. It is on the  EU list of priority invasive alien species (opens in a new tab). Its stings are harmless to non-allergy sufferers and are comparable to wasp or bee stings.

Preferred settlement areas are floodplains and urban fringes below 200 meters above sea level. During the breeding season, the social, colony-forming Asian hornet feeds predatorily on insects. Due to the high population densities achieved in neighboring countries to the west, it is suspected that the invasive insect hunter could endanger the populations of native wild bees or other prey insects and thus also have a negative impact on pollinator activity and beekeeping.

The responsible authorities rely on the cooperation of the population and beekeepers for early detection. In order to carry out effective and efficient control measures, it is important to report any sightings. Anyone who observes Asian hornets or their nests should, if possible, report this to the Neobiota Portal of the NRW State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV) with a meaningful photo and location data.