No evidence of increased mortality associated with Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) spread in Spain

Abstract Subject Editor: Kristen Healy Global environmental change is reshaping species distributions worldwide, with direct implications for public health through altered patterns of arthropod exposure. Among Hymenoptera, the expansion of the yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax du Buysson, 1905 has generated substantial concern, particularly in regions where the species is recently established. In Spain, this arrival has coincided with increased media attention and heightened public perception of danger, often accompanied by assumptions of rising mortality and escalating health risk. However, the true epidemiological impact of this invasion remains poorly quantified at the national scale. We conducted a retrospective analysis of officially certified deaths attributed to contact with hornets, wasps, and bees in Spain over a multi-decadal period spanning the establishment and spread of V. velutina. Overall, mortality associated with Hymenoptera exposure appeared stable over time and not altered during the period in which V. velutina became established. These findings suggest that invasion alone may not directly translate into measurable population-level lethality, highlighting the need to distinguish between increased encounter probability and the progression to fatal anaphylaxis. Continued surveillance, integration of clinical and ecological data, and accurate public communication will be essential for anticipating and responding to future shifts in risk under ongoing environmental change.