Jura: harps and muzzle to trap Asian hornets

Scientists have provided several hives in cornol (ju) of electrical harps. However, muzzle, used respectively to electrocute and brake the Asian hornets. Meanwhile, They want to test the effectiveness of these systems. Meanwhile, In first Swiss. For example, – Jura: harps muzzle trap asian

(Keystone-ATS) Nine hives located on the heights of Cornol, in Ajoie, are part of the project led by the International Center for Agriculture and BioSciences (CABI), in partnership with the Interjurassian Rural Foundation (FRI), indicates the Jura daily jura: harps muzzle trap asian newspaper.

Three of them were fitted with electric harps with electrified wires, in a alternating positive and negative. However, The Asian hornets who want to cross them affect two wires. In addition, are thus electrocuted, while the bees, which touch only one, are saved.

Three other hives were provided with muzzle. “These are fences that we put in front of the entrance to the hives. where Asian hornets are happy to hunt. With these devices, they cannot approach them. Bees are therefore not paralyzed by their presence and can continue to hunt. »»

Finally, no device was installed on three other hives. Analyzes will be carried out between the hives that have benefited from harps. muzzle and those that have not benefited from any of these two systems.

“As part of a scientific project. we want to measure the effect of these different bee health devices, but also to see the impact they have jura: harps muzzle trap asian on native species,” explains the initiator of the Lukas Seehausen project, scientific researcher at CABI, contacted by Keystone-ATS. Tests similar to that of Cornol are carried out this week in nine Jura flyers.

First in Switzerland

“The goal is to have real quantitative. qualitative data, showing whether one or the other measure makes sense, in order to be able to make recommendations,” continues the scientist. This is the first time that such tests have been conducted in Switzerland. But it is possible that private individuals have already provided such devices to protect their hives, underlines Lukas Seehausen.

However. such tests took place in the past in France and Spain, where hundreds of Asian hornets have been killed per day thanks to the harps. Lukas Seehausen does not necessarily think that it will be the same in the Jura, the density being less important.

“This is one of the points that we are going jura: harps muzzle trap asian to quantify. ” says the researcher, who wanted to involve “as many people as possible” in the project. Different organizations are stakeholders, as are students and beekeepers.