France has been invaded by hornets from Asia which prey on the local bees.
Their activities have caused the production of honey to plummet to a record low as beekeepers have been unable to protect hives from attack.
The hornets are thought to have arrived in a shipment of pottery from China in 2004 and have since been reported in Portugal, as well as Germany, Italy and Spain.
Scientists believe the answer may be found in a carnivorous plant which can eat the hornets.
Hopes are now being pinned on the Sarracenia plant from north America after the botanical gardens in Nantes realised that it could attract hornets, trap and then digest them.
The plants, commonly called trumpet pitchers, create an attractive substance akin to nectar around its funnel-like leaves. Once an insect, or hopefully a hornet, tumbles in, escape is not likely.
The University of Tours is studying the plants’ pheromones which attract the Asian hornets in order to create artificial traps.
The Asian hornet is much more aggressive than the European ones. They ambush bees going to and from their hives so they can gain access to the hive and its honey.
Their nests can hold some 4,000 hornets and can be built underground or as high as 100 feet in treetops, making them difficult to find and destroy.
