The Intervention Team of RedEXOS, the Canary Network for Early Warning of Invasive Exotic Species under the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy of the Government of the Canary Islands, proceeded on Friday night to remove the only confirmed nest of the Asian wasp (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) in the Canary Islands. The nest was located on the facade of the IES Isabel de España in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Consulted experts indicate that this was a derived nest, rebuilt by worker wasps that survived the removal of the original nest in mid-May. The operation, which lasted approximately one hour, had the collaboration of the capital's city council, which provided a crane truck from its Lighting Service. The intervention required specific personal protective equipment (PPE).

Out of the 155 citizen reports investigated by RedEXOS, none have been positive, mostly being confusions with other local wasps or inconclusive observations. For now, the situation is considered under control, with no confirmation of the species' presence outside this area of the city.

To date, only three sightings have been confirmed within a radius of less than 250 meters from the removed nest: an individual captured on May 22nd, a video of another worker feeding on June 1st, and another wasp trapped in a RedEXOS-installed trap two days later.

Despite the successful removal, experts warn that isolated individuals might still be observed in the surroundings in the coming days, although they consider it unlikely that they can rebuild a new nest. RedEXOS reiterates the importance of citizen collaboration to report any potential sightings through its mobile app (RedEXOS Gobcan), website (www.redexos.com), WhatsApp (646 601 457), or by calling CECOES (1-1-2).