Observations on the colony activity of the Asian hornet Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespinae) in France

Observations were made in the south-west region of France on the activity and behaviour of Vespa velutina workers from a nest reared in captivity as well as from free-living colonies. Seasonal nest development, daily extranidal activity, daily time budget allocated to nest construction and carbohydrates, water, pulp or prey collection were determined from the captive colony. In the meantime, nestmate and non-nestmate interactions were assessed. The percentages of pulp pellets and prey collections brought back by foragers were also determined from the free-living colonies and showed a noticeable preference of the hornet for honey bees. These preliminary data allow further investigations on the biology and behaviour of this Asian invasive species in the view to better assess its impact on biodiversity in France.