Every year on 3 March, the United Nations celebrates World Wildlife Day — a reminder that wildlife is not just about lions and elephants. It is also about the small creatures that keep our world alive: bees.
Honeybees are among the most important pollinators on the planet. Without them, much of the food we eat simply would not exist. But today, they face a growing danger from an unexpected enemy: the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina).
Originally from Southeast Asia, this invasive species arrived in Europe accidentally around 2004 and has been spreading rapidly ever since. It is now present in more than 13 European countries. The Asian hornet is a highly efficient predator — a single hornet can kill up to 50 bees a day, and one nest alone can destroy an estimated 45,000 honeybees. Entire colonies are being wiped out, threatening both biodiversity and food production.
This is where science and citizen action come together. The EU-funded HOLiFOOD project has been studying emerging risks to our food systems, including the threat posed by invasive species like the Asian hornet. Identifying these hornets early is crucial — but it is not always easy, as they are often confused with native European hornets. Holifood’s case study by DIALOGIK illustrated how digital tools improve data quality, accelerate responses and strengthen cooperation between experts and the public. It also discussed practical approaches to locating and removing nests, highlighting the growing importance of digital monitoring in managing invasive species
This shows how smartphone apps have become a powerful tool in the fight to protect our bees. Apps like Asian Hornet Watch (or platforms such as Meine Umwelt and Survey123) allow anyone to photograph and report a suspected sighting in seconds, helping scientists and authorities track and respond to new arrivals before populations become established.
On this World Wildlife Day, we are reminded that protecting wildlife means protecting every link in the chain — including the bees that quietly sustain our ecosystems, and the people who watch out for them.
If you spot something, report it. Every sighting counts.