Mangilao, Guam-<\/em>A new invasive species has been identified on Guam. The greater banded hornet, or Vespa Tropica, is a species of wasp, are aggressive and have caused a decrease in the local honeybee population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An invasive species causes harm to the local population and comes from a different area. Entomologist Aubrey Moore has previously stated that the greater banded hornet is a minor problem compared to the rhinoceros beetle. However, it continues to affect local species.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Christopher\nRosario, a biologist for the University of Guam, states that the greater banded\nhornet is a carnivorous insect that preys on paper wasps, known locally as\nbonnie bees. Because of the increasing population of hornets, bonnie bee nests\nhave been declining. Due to this shortage in their food source the hornets have\nbeen attacking honeybee colonies all over Guam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honeybees serve as a\nmajor pollinator for agricultural food crops. They aid in the production of\none-third of everything humans eat. Losing this major pollinator would\ndevastate our diet, dramatically reducing the variety of foods available for\nconsumption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grater banded hornet\nwas discovered in July 2016 and quickly established a colony on island. A sting\nfrom this hornet is extremely painful. Prevention is key for reducing the\nhornet population on Guam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA way to prevent hornets\nfrom harming honeybee colonies is to kill a hornet when seen foraging in the\nenvironment,\u201d Rosario said. \u201cThat single foraging hornet could find a bee hive,\nmark it with a pheromone, and send half the nest to kill a whole honeybee\ncolony.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you see any hornet\nnests in your area, please report the location to the Guam Department of\nAgriculture. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mangilao, Guam-A new invasive species has been identified on Guam. The greater banded hornet, or Vespa Tropica, is a species of wasp, are aggressive and have caused a decrease in the local honeybee population. An invasive species causes harm to the local population and comes from a different area. Entomologist Aubrey Moore has previously stated … <\/p>\n

Read more “Vespa Tropica: New invasive species found on Guam”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":5139,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[105],"yoast_head":"\n