Insect pollinators play a crucial role in sustaining crop production and thus ensuring food security and supporting economies worldwide. While threats such as habitat destruction, parasites and pesticides are well documented drivers of insect pollinator decline over recent decades, the complex global impacts of hornets (Vespa spp.) on insect pollinators have been poorly studied. To address this knowledge gap, this study examined the risks posed by predatory hornet species to crops that depend on insect pollinators.
The authors modeled current and future ranges for 22 hornet species using GBIF-mediated occurrence data and climate variables including temperature and precipitation. Maps of pollinator-dependent crops and transport routes were also considered to identify current and projected invasion hotspots and highlight areas of greatest economic and ecological risk.
The results revealed that hornet distributions are most concentrated in Europe and Asia, reflecting both native ranges and human-mediated introductions. The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) emerged as the most damaging species, significantly affecting pollinator activity and reducing crop yields globally. Soybean in North America, apples in Europe and watermelon in Asia were identified as the crops at significant risk of hornet exposure. The authors concluded that hornet range expansion was a likely outcome from climate change, posing additional pressures on pollinator populations.
These findings highlight the need for robust early detection biosecurity measures to safeguard insect pollinator-dependent crops and to ensure long term viability of agricultural ecosystems.