Combining surveys and on-line searching volumes to analyze public awareness about invasive alien species: a case study with the invasive Asian yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) in Italy

The Asian yellow-legged hornet ( Vespa velutina ) has been invading Italy since 2013, and it was subjected to management programs counter its spread raise awareness about impacts. We administered a questionnaire sample of 358 beekeepers in Italy, asking them their sources information on V. perception potential impacts severity, compared other threats beekeeping. also explored Internet searching volumes Google Wikipedia , identify seasonal long-term trends public awareness. Workshops, journals or bulletins, the word-of-mouth with colleagues were primary . searches peaked during activity period species increased over time, thousands visits each month. Beekeepers believed affect beekeeping by predating honey bees Apis mellifera ), paralyzing foraging, reducing availability depleting winter cluster. Moreover, deemed severe threat beekeeping, similar like pesticides varroa mite Varroa destructor ). Our findings indicate that seem be aware both within outside invaded area, considering major citizens have become progressively curious species. Information campaigns specialized magazines might helpful communicate species, need develop diffused surveillance networks.