A new invasive species has arrived in the city of Barcelona. It is the giant Asian honey bee.
This species, which originated in Japan and China, has expanded worldwide at a dizzying pace due to globalization and associated human activities.
It is likely to have arrived through the port on a ship carrying wood with the nests inside.
The giant Asian bee is characterized by being much larger than other bee species, measuring between 14 and 24 mm.
It is predominantly black with yellowish brown hairs and is very robust and strong compared to the native bees we are used to.
Although we can still find larger bees, this species is considered a threat to native bees, as it can destroy entire colonies and feed on their larvae.
In Europe, the giant Asian honey bee was first detected near Marseille, France, in 2009.
In Spain it was first detected in 2018 . Since then, sightings have been reported in several regions of the country.
This invasive species, known as the giant resin bee, has colonized a large part of central European countries at an alarming rate in recent years, multiplying its population tenfold in this time.
Where did you see it in Barcelona?
Recently, La Vanguardia’s Isaura Marcos captured images of a giant Asian bee in Barcelona’s Pedralbes monastery.
He said that around noon he was contemplating the new bee nest on the wall of the monastery gardens and suddenly, he noticed a very large bee on the ground. He indicated that this was the first time he had observed a specimen of this size.
Despite their large size, these bees are not aggressive, which makes them less threatening to humans than some other bee species.
This species is mainly concentrated on the eastern Mediterranean coast of Spain, but it is also a very urban bee, using ports, roads and densely populated cities to expand and reproduce.
The consequences of the presence of the giant Asian honey bee
It is important to note that the presence of this invasive species can have serious consequences for local biodiversity and the economy.
Bees are essential pollinators for food production and for the reproduction of many plant species.
If the giant Asian honey bee spreads unchecked, it could seriously affect agricultural production and the ecological balance of the region.
Authorities must take measures to prevent the spread of this invasive species and control its expansion in the city.
Invasive species can affect local biodiversity.
