Do not mistake this harmless insect in your French garden for an Asian hornet
Its size and colouring are the main reasons it is sometimes mistaken
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Mairies across France are reminding people during this season not to mistake harmless scolie des jardins (mammoth wasp) for the invasive Asian hornet.
The large black-and-yellow insect may look alarming at first sight, but it is completely harmless and plays an important role in local ecosystems as a pollinator.
These warnings come as growing concern about the Asian hornet has led some people to remove or trap insects they believe could be dangerous.
Homemade traps, often made from plastic bottles containing attractants, do not distinguish between Asian hornets and other insects, meaning they can also capture harmless native species.
The mairie of Linxe, in the Landes, recently reminded residents that “when insects fly around our sunny days, we are tempted to be wary of them or even try to get rid of them,” however, they urged people to “be careful not to confuse the scolie des jardins with the Asian hornet: the garden scoliid wasp is completely harmless, even though it has a stinger.”
The mairie of Eyragues, in the Bouches-du-Rhône, issued a similar message after scolies were seen near the local medical centre. “Do not panic, and above all do not confuse it with a hornet: the scolie des jardins poses no danger to humans,” it said, encouraging residents to observe the insect rather than try to remove it.
What is the scolie des jardins?
The scolie des jardins can measure several centimetres long and has a large black body, yellow markings on its abdomen and, in females, a distinctive yellow patch on the head.
Its size and colouring are the main reasons it is sometimes mistaken for the Asian hornet, an invasive species that has spread widely in France and is known for damaging bee colonies.
However, the two insects behave very differently. Unlike the Asian hornet, the scolie des jardins is a solitary insect. It does not build large colonies, does not create nests near homes and is not aggressive towards humans.
Although females have a sting, they rarely use it and only do so if they feel directly threatened.
Meanwhile, the scolie des jardins provides several environmental benefits. Adult scolies feed on nectar and help pollinate flowers, contributing to biodiversity in gardens and green spaces.
It also contributes to the natural balance of gardens. Its larvae feed on the larvae of certain large beetles living underground, helping to regulate their populations.
The insect is an important ally rather than a pest and the best thing to do if you see one is to simply leave it alone.
