Velutina Task Force - COLOSS Conference 2018

COLOSS Conference 2018 

We recently attended the 14th International COLOSS Conference 2018 which was specifically focused on two new invasive species in Europe – The Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) and small hive beetles (Aethina tumida). 

The COLOSS conference gave an Annual General Assembly meeting and an update on the network’s achievements and future directions.

Velutina Task Force - COLOSS Conference 2018 

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​The #VelutinaTaskForce meeting was attended by 16 members from America, Austria, Belgium, China, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain.  
​The meeting was coordinated by Daniela Laurino (University of Turin)

Velutina Task Force scientific objectives are:

• ​To monitor the spread of Vespa velutina in Europe and Asia;
• To assess V. velutina impact on honey bees and the rate of colony losses resulting from the action of this pest;
• To study V. velutina biology, ethology, and ecology either in its natural range or in invaded areas; 
• To develop sound control methods.

Velutina Task Force members aim to fulfil these objectives by implementing the following activities:

• Set up a network of monitoring stations throughout the area of probable V. velutina invasion;
• Gather information on colony losses and honey production from beekeepers in areas where V. velutina is established and areas where it is now expanding;
• Gather information on control methods adopted by beekeepers where V. velutina is present and test the most promising of such methods in different environments; 
• Develop and adopt uniform methods to assess colony development, kind and abundance of insects V. velutina preys upon, V. velutina impact on honey bees and beekeeping industry; 
• Gather information on control methods adopted by beekeepers where V. velutina is present and test the most promising of such methods in different environments; 
• Develop and test innovative control methods; 
• Apply for a joint European research project on V. velutina.

COLOSS (Prevention of honey bee COlony LOSSes) is an international, non-profit association headquartered in Bern, Switzerland that is focussed on improving the well-being of bees at a global level. Composed of scientific professionals including researchers, veterinarians, agriculture extension specialists and students. COLOSS understand that cooperation and open dialogue are key to better understanding the reasons why bee populations are threatened in today’s world.

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Special thanks are given to organisers: Dirk de Graaf from Ghent University, Belgium (local organiser) Maria Bouga from Agricultural University of Athens, Greece, Asli Özkirim from Hacettepe University, Turkey  and  Geoff Williams from Auburn University, USA

Xesús Feás would like to thank Deputation de A Coruña for funded the attendance of the Conference and financial support to investigate new methods of controlling the Vespa velutina, in a research program carried out at the Campus Terra of the University of Santiago de Compostela.