Five years after its first official detection in Marseille, the Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) continues to establish itself in France. Until recently confined to the Mediterranean fringe, it is now documented in several south-eastern departments and triggered an isolated report in Blois (Loir-et-Cher) in January 2026. For households, beekeepers and public-space managers, this new arrival forces a rethink of monitoring and control reflexes, because its biology does not match that of the Asian hornet.
Where does the Oriental hornet come from?
The Oriental hornet is a Mediterranean species, native to a wide range stretching from southern Europe to Central Asia. It has no business being in northern France. Its arrival in Marseille is most likely linked to maritime traffic: the first observations of 2021 were made in the La Cabucelle neighbourhood, near a wasteland of the Saint-Louis factory close to the port, and along the Aygalades stream, a north-south dispersal corridor.
The hypothesis of an introduction through imported goods (timber, ornamental stones, containers) is now favoured by MNHN and PatriNat teams, who track the species' progression through the frelonasiatique.mnhn.fr portal.
A snapshot of the 2021-2026 progression
| Year | Key observation | |------|-----------------| | 2021 | First confirmed nest in Marseille (La Cabucelle) | | 2022 | Nest destroyed in Plan-de-Cuques, suspected nests across the Marseille area | | 2023 | Detection in the Var and Alpes-Maritimes — listed in Annex II of IAS (Invasive Alien Species) | | 2024-2025 | Stabilised observations in PACA, growing reports in Italy and Belgium | | January 2026 | Isolated report in Blois (Loir-et-Cher), awaiting confirmation |
The currently documented range remains PACA (Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Alpes-Maritimes, Vaucluse). The Blois report, from a single beekeeping source, has not yet been confirmed by an institutional body, but it illustrates the species' dispersal capacity: queens can cover several kilometres when founding a colony.
How to recognise the Oriental hornet?
Confusion with the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) and the European hornet (Vespa crabro) is common. Yet the field marks are clear:
- Uniform reddish-brown abdomen with a broad yellow band — not the dark abdomen of the Asian hornet, nor the bright yellow-with-black-dots of the European hornet.
- Orange, almost red face when viewed head-on — the most reliable field criterion.
- Reddish-brown legs with little contrast.
- Size close to the Asian hornet (workers 18-23 mm, queens 25-30 mm).
The MNHN anatomical plate below breaks down each segment.
A biology that changes everything for control
Unlike the Asian hornet, which builds spherical aerial nests, the Oriental hornet has a distinctive trait: it nests in the ground or in cavities (hollow walls, shutter-box housings, under slabs, old burrows, dry banks). No external envelope is visible. Direct consequences:
- Spring trapping with bottles or queen traps is still useful, but placement must target known nesting sites.
- Aerial nest destruction with a telescopic pole is ineffective: the cavity must be opened, the biocide injected at the heart of the brood, then sealed.
- Defensive aggressiveness is stronger than in V. velutina, with an attack radius that can extend several metres.
This nesting habit explains why the national strategy designed for the Asian hornet — often reduced to spotting nests up high — cannot be transposed. Control requires a prior diagnosis by a trained operator, capable of locating the cavity and adapting the method.
Oriental and Asian hornets: two threats to be handled differently
The risk of co-occurrence is now taken seriously. In Bouches-du-Rhône, the two species already coexist in some communes. For a resident or elected official, this means any nest suspicion cannot be handled with the same protocol: you don't improvise as a hornet destroyer, especially when you don't know which species is involved.
A few simple principles:
- Do not block the nest entrance: the colony, cut off from the outside, becomes aggressive and bores through adjacent partitions.
- Do not spray water or shop-bought aerosol: the pressure is too low and the colony dispersal makes the situation worse.
- Do not intervene at height or in a wall without full protective equipment: anti-hornet suit, full-face visor, long gloves.
- Report the approximate location to a certified operator before acting.
To understand how an Asian hornet nest is handled, our guide recognising an Asian hornet nest and reacting remains relevant — provided you adapt the location diagnosis.
Beekeeping: an impact to monitor
The impact on hives is well documented in Calabria and Sicily, where the species has long been established. The predation mode differs from that of the Asian hornet: Vespa orientalis stations itself on the landing board and intercepts bees as they land, rather than hunting on the wing. Attacks are more sporadic but more violent when they occur.
Beekeepers in Bouches-du-Rhône and the Var are beginning to report summer losses of foragers on apiaries near nesting sites. Fitting muzzle guards on hive entrances remains the most effective measure at apiary scale; at territorial scale, only the destruction of hornet colonies reduces the pressure.
What to do if you suspect an Oriental hornet?
- Photograph the individual from a distance, trying to capture the abdomen and head.
- Do not attempt to capture it: the sting is painful and the allergy risk is real.
- Report through the national platform frelonoriental.fr or on INPN species, specifying the commune, date and context (garden, pavement, apiary).
- If you are a beekeeper, notify your regional GDSA or FREDON.
- If a nest is identified in the ground or in a wall, call a professional: our technicians operate across the region with equipment suited to underground or in-wall nest destruction.
Antinuisible Pro operates across the Mediterranean rim
Destroying an Oriental hornet nest requires a prior probe diagnosis of the cavity, injection of a biocide at the heart of the brood, then sealing of the access routes. Our trained technicians use adapted telescopic poles, products compliant with current regulations and full protective equipment. We operate in Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Vaucluse, Alpes-Maritimes and the western Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
Discover our wasp and hornet nest removal services and our protective equipment and selective traps to anticipate the arrival of foundress queens in spring. Check our transparent pricing and the list of our service areas.
A suspected nest near you? Contact our experts for a quick diagnosis. In case of emergency (active nest near a school, a public building or an apiary), our dedicated line is available on the Emergency page.
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