In less than two weeks, Galicia recorded an unexpected increase in the activity of the velutina wasp, better known as the Asian wasp: an invasive species originating in Southeast Asia that is already found just a few kilometers from the Portuguese border. Highly adaptable, this wasp poses an increasing risk to people and the ecosystem by attacking other pollinating insects and reacting aggressively when it feels threatened.
According to the website Executive Digest, a website specializing in economics, the Galician regional government recognized an “extraordinary increase” in the presence of the species, even at a time when the cold should reduce its activity.
The Xunta da Galicia warned of the need for “maximum precaution, especially in the case of allergic people”, as bites can cause serious reactions and require immediate medical attention.
The silent threat that multiplies
Veterinarian and researcher Xesús Feás, who has been studying the impact of the Asian hornet in the region for years, explained that “there are thousands of nests, more and more, and they are not being removed”.
Many of them are hidden underground, which makes them invisible and increases the risk of accidental contact during agricultural tasks or walks in rural areas. “Underground nests have been appearing more and more frequently”, highlights the expert, who calls for reinforcement of the removal teams throughout the year, and not just in the summer.
A problem that won’t go away
According to the same publication, Galicia captured around 230 thousand queen wasps in 2025, double the number recorded in the previous year, through the installation of more than 18 thousand traps. Despite efforts, experts warn that control remains difficult and that the traps used end up affecting other beneficial species, compromising the ecological balance.
Risk to health and the environment
Marita Puga, president of the Galician Beekeeping Association, states that “velutina is already a public health problem” and fears that the situation will worsen in 2026. “The measures have helped, but are not enough to contain the expansion of the species”, she told Executive Digest. The leader also advocates greater awareness among the population, especially in rural areas, where nests are more common and interventions are slower.
What to do in case of a bite
Experts cited by the Executive Digest website recommend that, in the event of an Asian wasp sting, the person leaves the area immediately, as the wasps release an alarm pheromone that attracts others in the swarm.
The area should be washed with soap and water and ice applied to reduce swelling. If there are symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, swelling in the face or throat, you should immediately call 112 or go to an emergency department. People with known allergies should carry the adrenaline kit prescribed by their doctor and use it at the first sign of a reaction.
Danger in sight
Galicia’s geographic proximity to the north of Portugal increases concern among authorities and experts. The Asian hornet has already been detected in several Portuguese regions and its advance could intensify with the increase in average temperatures. According to Xesús Feás, “deaths are just the tip of the iceberg”: the real problem is the lack of data on bites and serious reactions that do not reach official records.
Galician authorities call for surveillance and immediate reporting of nests, while experts call for more scientific research and permanent means of combat. For now, the warning remains: the Asian species continues to expand and its control is far from guaranteed.
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