The distribution of the Hornet (Vespa c. crabro L.)in northwestern Europe

STELLAN ERLANDSSON

Erlandsson, S.: The distribution of thc Hornet (Vesps c. crabro L ) in northwestern Europe.

[BAlgetingens (lzesp a c. crabro L.) utbredning i nordviistra Europa.]- Ent Tidskr. 109:155-159. Umei. Sweden 1988. ISSN 0013-886x.

The distribution ofthe Hornet ( yespa c . c r ab ro L.) inF entoscan di a and Dcnmark is presentedon a map and records are listed in the text. At present the Hornei occurs esPecially in so,uthern-

most anri southeastern Sweden. It has seemingly disappeared from both Finland and Norway,and must be regarded as endangercd in Sweden.

S. Erlandsson. Swedish Museum of Natural History, P.O.B. 50007, 5'104 05 Stockholm, Swe-

den.

I have followed thc distribution of the Hornet,Vespa c. crabro L., in northwestern Europe for 40

years. During this period a pronounced decreasein the frequency of records as well as a reductionof the geographical range have been documented.I will here list the records known to me from thestudied region and present a distribution map(Fig. 1).

Sweden

sK: Nasum 7.V11.58.t9 (EDSS): Hdkoping3.X.70. l?(WEHS); Skiiralid ll.lX.72. IQ: Stenshuvud ? 72. I!(HEOS); Bontaback in Vombsjon 75 77 (LQTS): 1 kmN Vombsjcin -77, 19 (LQTS); M<,lle-Hassle 20.V11.77,tt (ATMS); Hickcberga 1.1X.77. l9 (ENSS); Biuv:0.IX.78. ld (HYOS); Arlov. Arkisagirden 6.IX.78.lcf (NSNS); Kvidinge, Tomarps kungsgird -83, l?(PSNS); Hissleholm 1970-76 (GNTS)i Borringe kloster'l 19 (WLNS)i Vinsldv -76 (CNTS); Sjdbo -77 (PNHS)tSvedala -78 (PNHS); Everltiv, Humlerodshus -77(PNHS); Svedala -78 (PNI{S) I Everl6v, Humlerddshus -77 (SGNS); Kullaberg 3.vll.7l, 1? (ANHS); Havang18.IX.56, 16J (AHNS); Skines Fagerhult 13.IV.86(LNOS); I have received from the Zoological Depa -ment, University of Lund, the following localities; Bil-linge. Bdkeberga. Frostavallen. Hallands Vide16,Hddr. llstorp, Pasjd. Relleberga. Rdsjdholm. Silvekra.O. Broby. O. Kallrorp. BL: Saxemara 18.lv.4q. I ?(HNBS); Rosenholm l2.Vlll.7l, l! (ENSS); R<ideby2.1.VII.70. 19. 19.V1I.72, 19 (ENSS); Karlskrona.Torhamn, Hemsjri, Tjiirno, Ronneby, Mockleryd(Zool. Dept. Lund). HA: Siirti. Kullavik ? (HMLS):Enslor. Arnilt:1.1X.50. 1Q (ANHS): Skedala (Lund).

SM: Kiillvik 23-24.VII1.1890 (RMNS); Visings<t26.1X.4?. ld (FRLS); Melilla 28.V.48. lQlMisterhult.tsaggestorp 22.v1.52. l9; Ovcrrum 16 1X.58, l?(LOHS); Flisby. Branstorp l6.vIII.59. I Q (EDSS);Frinnaryd 2. Vtlt.71 several Q Q: Konga. counlry estate5.v11.75. t? (LOHS): MadesJo 2.vllt.7l.l?9 49?(ANGS); Bjork<, in the archipelago of Viistervik21.v11.77. lQ (ARMS); Misterhult ? -77 (BKBS);Stensjo 30.IX.77.1? (GNtsS); Gasslanda 13 km N. Viix-jd (BRLS); Simpvarp. 20 km NNE Oskarshamn29.1X.17, lQ: Avre vid Hennefjord W Simpvarp l-77.I ? (LGES); T<trnefors, Almvik 4 km VAstervik 6.V1.78tQ; Viistervik -83 (SNJS); TorsAs. Sk<ivde: Callabois-(r9, Torsas: Pilsmila -69. Torsas: Stromby -71. Piryd:Vorehult -71, Gunnebo factory (all com. GTNS);Toves-rum (com. LLRS.;: Rys'hy: Drag2.VL42, I ?.21.VI.42,l?. I VIl.42. l? (KAKS). OL: Glumminge 25.Vl.32.lQ. e.vllt..r2. lQ (HGRS): Hiigsrum: Ekerum:8.VL32, I ? Boda: Byerum 2f, VL5l. l9 (WSI-S); Bti-da rarlway stalion 5.x.17. l9 (HNBS): Torslunda7.VIII.7l, lV. ll.VIll.7l. lQ: vickleby, BeiiershamnI l.VIII.7l. I Q, Byerum 26.V.77. tQ. nest in a beehive(CBCS)r Algutsrum 10.VI1.71. lt: Halltorp 19.lX.71,l!; Torslunda 19.1X.7'?,2dd (SBGS); Tiivelsrum20.VIL70, 19,6.IX.71, 1? (NNAS); Algutsrum, Hdns-rorp -77, l9 (LGES); Pctersholm -07 and -72. I nest:Strandtorp -72. I ncst (com, NTGS): Vicklebyl.1.VIIl.72. l9 (COLS)i Borgholm. Halltorp. Rella.Rcsmo (Lund). OC: Kinna-Orby -13, l? (twLS):Ringstorp 20.V.20 l9 (MNLS); Norkoping 7.V.23,l!: St. Anna: Missio 13.VII.27, l9 (WSJS); Kisa24.vI..11, 1t; V. Eneby 16.VIII..1l. l9 (LOHS); Vist,Stavsetter 2.VIII.70. I nest in old ashtree; Bjiirka-Saby,nest in oak: St. Anna: Ramsudd. nest in outhouse([ILNS)l Simonstorp 3.VI.70, I ! (AXLS); St. Brekd.Drdgen, I nest -71 (GTNS); Gryt, St. Syltvik -77 severalnests: Motala 16.VIII.78, l9 (CDBS)l Oppeby, Ryle2l.vll.'1'l,3?? (KLNS); St. Anna rrchipelago near

156 Stellan Erlandsson

Fig. l. Distribution of the Hornet, Vespa c. crobro L. in northwestern Europe. The northern limit of the Oak, Oaer-cus robur, is shown with a black line (from Hultdn 1950, map 602). Records irom GDR, Poland or Balticum were notstudied.

BAlgetingens (Vespa..c_. .crabro 1,,) utbredning i nordviistra Europa, Ekens nordgrans har markerats med hetdragenlinje (efter Hultdn 1950, karta 602). Fynd frin Osttyskland. Polen och Balticum-har inte studerats.

Harstena -86 (AKTS); Kolmardens djurpark, Fjug 85-86 (LBGS); Finspeng. Rystad, Arkdsund. Nykil, Link6-ping, Frdsta (Lund). VG: krdala, Sparresater2l.VIll.1821. C. J. Schdnherr; Nii?is 4 km Floda railwaystation (HTGS). BO: Torsby ? (ADRS): Torskog,VIIL77. I ? (ALMS). NA: Aikersund 28.VIII.40. lQ

(KHRS)I Orehro -46. 299 (JDCS). SO: Toresund2q.v.18. l9 (SMNS): Mariefred 20.V1.29. l!(ARVS):Tvresci Castle 28.VIII.47. lQ (EDSS): Age-sta -50, 3 nests, -54 I nest (GTNS); Rinda, Granskiir-76. I Q (SWES); Sundbyholm -78 (ENSS);Salem, Fo-gelsta 24.VIIL79, 39 ? (EDSS); Stjiirnhov, Sotbacka

20.VIIL8-3. l?. ll.VIlt.85. l4.Vlll.86 only a fewuorkers: Sparreholm 23.v111.85 nest in old oak-trec(JLAS): K.rtrineholm, Guleniiset 8G-87 nest (RGES)lStigtomta 12.Vt.86. l? (LDWS); Tyres<i: Vissvass(LLRS); Gnesta -79 (NOLS);Dag<i country estate be-tween Flen and Katrincholm :) VIl.87 nest (WLDS)iWijk manor near Flcn. a few specimens in the dwel-ling-house -87 (AKTS): Ensta, Fogdd, Hesselby,Htil<i. Sofielund. Viisterhaninge, Cutholmen (Lund).UP: Tierp 1898. 19 (RMNS)i Stockholm, Frescati ?

I ! (MLSS): Uppsala ?, I t (I-GWS); Uppsala, Grane-berg 21.VL46, l? (SMHS)r Djurci 27.vI1I.44. 1!{NSFS): Rosersbcrg Casrle 4.1X.47. 1Q: Stockholm.Kallhagen 22.V1.41{. -1QQ. workers atracked honeyhees visiting flowering Solidogo canadenJir; Ostanethe ferry-berth, nest in boat-house 28.VII1.65, tQ(EDSS): Danmark. Edeby -16. lt (FGSS)r Dande-rvd. Mrirbv 22.Vlll.5l. ld: Ostereker. Hdllbacka1.rx.51. lQ (FRLS); Rcsarii 9.VII.7l. rc' (MALS):O. Rvd, Siivsjdholm 2l.VIll. ?. I Q (KTRS); V:a Dels-holm -731 Eldgarn; 2t! (KDES): Tursbo 'l l9(LBDS): lngarct, Klackndset ? VII.83, 1Q (EKLS):Uppsala? 1Q (LGWS); Blidci, Enk<iping. N Viirmd<i,Siiderby-Karl. Ultuna (Lund). VS: Kiirrbo -57(wSTS): Ridd. Ormhiill 30.VII.77. 799 (KRSS).VR: Arvil,a 6.VIIL0l. I9.7.Vlll.0l. l? (BGSS):Karlskoga 7.V.16, I? (KLFS). DR: Ludvika, Norr-biirke 29.V|11.47.4?? (FRLS). GA: Hille. Forsbyl6.Vlll.47.- 19 {FHLS). NB: Karungi, Korpikyliir6.vr.4r. r? (BKPS).

Many of the Swedish rccords are from the for-ties, and there is a marked decrease in thenumber of observations during the last 20 years.The Hornet was common in the Stockholm areaand along Lake Milaren, here nesting mainly incavities of old Oaks, Quercus robur, andMaples,,4cer platanoides. Several years agonests occurred outside the Swedish Museum ofNatural History. About ten years ago the Hor-net has seemingly disappeared from this area.and the situation is similar in many other dis-t r icts.

The present Swedish distribution is limited tothe southern and eastern parts of the mainlandup to southern CAstrikland. Hornets also occurin the Baltic archipelago and on Oland. but arcabseni from Gotland. Four records, the latestfrom 1977, are known from the Gothenburg reg-ion on the west coast. Thc Hornet was recordedfrom Sparresiiter in northern Vastergdtland to-gether with the coleopteran nest-parasite yel-leius dilatatus (Fabr.) by C. J. Sch<inherr in 1821(Lundblad i949:148). The single record fromnorthernmost S*eden is very isolated and mostprobably accidental.

The Hornet in norlhweslern Europe 757

Denmark, Finland and Norway

Denmark (Natural History Muse um, Arhus): NEZ- Kp-bcnhavn. Amager. Kongelunden 17.tX.59 (JNPD);NWZ. Jvderup 18.lX.l4 (LCRD). Esrum 5.Vll l6 ?:hJ. Srlkeborg ( ? ). Lille Esbonderup ( L( RD): SJ. Aben-ra 12.IX.36 (FDLD), Froslev 25.VI.ru (BCHD), Ha-derslev 20.X.69 (LHAD); F. Kerteminde 19.1X.70(JNFD), Ramso E of Kertemindc 1-l l.IX.70 (severalcollectors).Finlend: Al. Forsius & Nordstrdm (1923:7), without lo-cality; N. Mantsala (NSOF); Ka. Koivisto (KPNF),RaisAli and Vuoksi (AJEF); lk. Kuokkala and Oblila(SASF. WSAF), Rajajoki, Sakkola (KANF), Terijoki('l); Sa. Joutseno (BTCF), Taipalsari (MFWF);Kl. Sor-tavala (KANF. TULF);Kol. Kendjiirvi (TULF), Tule-majiirvi (NAPF), Uuksujiirvi (KITF); Kb. Valtimo4.VI.38 (VAEF); Kon. Kontapoh.la (?), Vilga (TULF).

The few Finnish localities are in the southern partof the country. and the distribution is to the eastconnected with that in the Soviet Union.

The Danish distribution is mainly limited to theislands and a few localities in eastern Jutland. Thelatter records are probably connected with thosefrom NW Germany, where the Hornet is still com-mon in Oldenburg (Haeseler, in litt. ).

In Norway the records are mainly limited to afew sitcs along the Oslo Fjord, with some isolated,morc southern records. According to Loken (inlitt.), the Hornet has not been found in Norwayfor tlO years. The species has secmingly disappear-ed from Norway.

Discussion

The northern limit of the distribution of the Hor-nct in Scandinavia and Finland is congruent withthat of the Oak (Fig. l). This limit is in Sweden al-most identical with the "Limcs Norrlandicus".which separates approximatcly the boreal andsubboreal vegetation zones. Lindroth (1939)showed the same distribution pattern for the cara-bid beetle Agonum obscurum (Herbst), and rela-tcd this limit to the isotherm of 9.3"C during Mayand September.

'l'he reasons for the declinc of thc Fennoscan-dian Hornet populations havc not bcen establish-ed. As Hornets originally nest in cavities of oldtrees, the almost total absence of suitable trees inwcstcrn Sweden is probably a contributing factorof high importance. For several centuries the Oakwas the predominating tree species used for nest-ing. Until 1658, in the Swedish provinces Scania,Blekinge, Halland and Bohusliin that then belong-ed to Denmark, extensive felling of Beech, Fagus

158 Stellan L,rlantlsson

sylvatica, took placc lor transport to the Danishcastles (Lindquist 1931). These fellings probablyincluded Oak as wcll, despite prohibitation in con-nection wilh severe punishment.

Most Hornet nesls are associated with bcs-keeping, and I have occasionally observed Hor-nets predating on honey-bees. During the lastsummers only a few observations of the Hornethave been reported from Sweden. This decline is

probably associated with the unfavourable wcath-er conditions, and the changing climate may thusstrongly affcct thc distribution. ln order to solvethe problcm of thc gradual disappearance of theHornet in Fcnnoscandia. we must continue to do-cument its currcnl occurrence.

List of collectors

Sweden: ATMS = M. Ahlstedt. AKMS = O. Almdn.AKTS : L. Almkvist. ANRS = K. Ander. ANGS = G.Andersson, ANHS = H. Andersson, ARVS = H. Ar-vidsson. AXLS = R. Axelsson, BKBS : B. Beck.IIGSS= S. Bengtsson, BKNS = B. Bj<irkman, BKPS = P.Brinck. BRLS = L. Brundin. CBGS = B. Cederberg.COLS = S. Colliandcr. F-KLS = M. Ehrnkull. ENSS :B. Ehnstrdm. F.DSS = S. Erlandsson. FHLS = K. Fah-lander. FRLS: K.-[l. lorsslund, FRES = L. Frcgclius.GDBS : J. Gardberg. GTHS = N. Gonnert, GNBS =B. Gustatison. HLNS: C. Hallin. HNBS: B. Han-son, HTGS = H. Hanvig. HCNS: G. Hedgren, HEQS- K.-J. Hedqvist. HMKS - M.-L. Henriks-son. tlQfS= G. Hrrlmquirt. HYOS = P. Hrlmtt. JLAS - L.-AJanzon. Jf)CS = Ch. Jadcrlund. KLNS : L. Karlen.KTRS = A. Kislncr. KDRS = E. Kjellander, KLFS :E. Kleftreck. I-GF,S = S. Lange. LLRS = T.-E. Leiler,LGWS: W. Liljcborg, LNDS = N.-O. Lindman,LQTS = K. Lindquist. LC'IS : S. Ljungquist, LGBS =B. Ljunggren. LOHS : H. Lohmander. LDWS = W.Lund. LBGS = S. Lundberg, LBLS = O. Lundblad.MLSS = R. Malaisc, MBGS = G. v. Malmborg. MLNS- B. Mclin. NNAS = A. Nilsson. NSNS = G. Nilsson.NSTS: F. Nordstnim. NOLS = L. n-ordn, OLNS = V.Olsson, PSNS : S. Persson, RGES = B. Ringselle.RMNS = A. Roman, SMNS = E. Sellman, SMHS = H.Smith, SWES : L. Struwe, SNBS = B. G. Sve nsson,SNIS = L Svensson.'IWLS : A. Ternwall. WSTS = U.Wahlstsdt. WENS : H. W. Walddn. WLNS = H. Wa-l6n. WSLS = E. Wieslander. WLDS: B. Wiklund,WSJS = G. wiingsjo, ARMS : L. Akerman.Denmark: BCHD = Blach. FDLD : Findal, JNFD =F. Jensen. JNPD : P. Johannesen, LCRD = C. R. t.ar-sen. LHAD = A. Lindebo-Hansen.Finland: AJEF = J. E. Aro, BTCF : C. Blomquisl,BEFF = E. F. Bonsdorff. KANF = N. Kanerva, KPNF: Kauppinen. KITF = T. Kontuniemi. MFWF: f'. W.Maklin. NAPF = P. l,liemelii. NSDF = E. Norden-skictld. NGCF: C. Nyberg, SAAF: A. Seppiilii,TULF : L. Tiensuu. VAEF = E. Valleala, WSAF = A.Wegelius

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Dr M. Archer, York for readingihe manuscript. I would like to thank Dr G. An-dcrsson, Gothenburg, Dr H. Andersson. Lund,Prof. Dr V. Haeseler. pldenburg. Dr L.-4. Jan.zon. slockholm. Mr T.-E. Leiler, Vallentuna, DrA. Loken, Oslo, Mag. A. Pekkarinen, Helsinki,for sending me specimens or information of theHornet. I have a particular dept of gratitude to thelate Mr N. Gonnert for the generous presentationof his comprehensive notes, and to Dr B. Peder-sen. Copenhagen. for a map with Danishlocalities.

References

Andersson, H.. Coulianos. C.-C., Ehnstr<im, B., Ham-marsredr. O..lmby. L.. Janzon. L.-4.. Lrndeldw.A. & Walden. H. W.. 1987. Hotadc evenebraler iSverige. - Ent. Tidskr, 10lt: 65-75.

Erlandsson, S. 1969. Notes on Hymenoptera 2. Contri-bution to the knowlcdgc of the Aculeate Hymenop-tera in the Island of Bomholm. - Ent. Tidskr. 90: 65-6ti.

Fahlander. K. 195,1. Hvmenopterii fran Gastrikland. -Ent. Tidskr. 75: 253.

Forsius. R. & Nordstrrinr. A. 1923. Zur Kenntnis derVespiden Finnlands. - Notul. Entom. 3: 1-9.

Hoop, M. 1967. Die Aculcatcn der Insel Helgoland. -Schr. Naturw. Vcr. Schlcsw.-Holst. 37: :1.1.

Ilultdn, E. 1950. Atlas of thc distribution of vascularplants in NW. Europe. Stockholm (Genst. Litog.Anst. Fdrl.).

Lindquist, B. 1931 . Den skandinaviska bokskogens bio-logi. Sv. skogsvards.fdr. tidskr. 3: l7!532.

Lindroth. C. H. 1939. Die skandinavische Kaferfaunaals Ergebnis der Ietzten Vereisung. VII. Intem.Kong. Ent. 1938 24/l--26'7 .

I-undblad. O. 1949. Nigra faunistiska koleopterrotiserav C. J. Schrinherr. - F.nt. Tidskr. 70: 145-154.

Loken. A. 1964. Socialwasps in Norway (Hvmenoptera,Vespidae). - Norsk Ent. Tidsskr. 12: 195-218.1987. Stikkevesp. Norske Insekttabeller 11.

Pekkarinen. A. 1973. Suomen yhteiskunta-ampiaisista(Vespidae). Luonnon Tutk. 77: 12 19.

Sammanfattning

Sedan ,10 Ar tillbaka har jag fdljt bilgetingens upp-tradande i Sverige och har darvid kunnat konsta-tcra den stadiga minskningen av fynd iiven inomomrAden diir den tidigare ej var ovanlig. Numerafinns den endast i stidra och sydtistra delen, Malar-dalen och pi Oland. Aldsta noterade fyndet arfrAn l82l, di C. J. Schcinherr fann den pe sin egen-dom Sparresdter, Lerdala sn i norra Vestergot-land-

I Norge iir den sedan Atskilliga 6r tillbaka heltforsvunnen. I Finland tycks tendensen vara den-samma som i Sverige. I Danmark finns den fortfa-randc.

Den medtagna utbredningskartan ir baserad pi

The Hornet in northwestern Europe 159

de av mig kiinda fynden. Den visar, att bllgeting-cn tillhor ekregionens insekter. Den verkliga orsa-ken till bilgetingens successiva forsvinnande ar ettproblem, som aterstar att ldsa.

Aleksandrs Sulcs*22.11 .l9ll f8.l l. 1987

lnlc utan anledning har svenska entomologer ge-nom Aren riktatzett speciellt intresse mot den bal-tiska insektsfaunan. Nir nu cn av dess frimstakannare, Aleksandrs Sulcs frin Riga i Lettland,avlidit, har ocksi svensk, och kanske hn mer finsk,fj iirilsforskning fcirlorat en viktig utpost.

Alcksandrs Sulcs borjade samla fjiirilar redan1929 och under 1930-talet vistades han sommartid

pi olika orter i Leltland varvid samlingen stadigtvaxte. l93l pabd,rjade han studier i matematik ochnaturvetenskap vid Lettlands Universitet. Hanspecialiserade sig pe systematisk zoologi och avla-clc sin magisterexamen 1939. Under perioden1936-1944 arbetade A. Sulcs som tiirare, f f a i Ri-ga, varefter han tj?instgjordc som f<irestindare ftjrden zoologiska avdelningcn i Naturvetenskapliga