Hornets in Spain

Hornets in Spain

Hornets are often considered pests, as they aggressively guard their nesting sites when threatened and their stings can be more dangerous than those of bees. There are now four types of hornet in Spain with three being introduced, considered invasive and a threat to endemic wildlife. (A fifth is often mentioned in the press but the Asian giant hornet (Vespa Mandarina) is NOT present in Spain).

  • Hornets (insects in the genus Vespa) are the largest in the wasp family and some species can reach up to 6 cm in length. There are around 22 species of Vespa in the world and most only occur in the tropics of Asia.
  • Like other social wasps, hornets build communal nests by chewing wood to make a papery pulp. Each nest has one queen, which lays eggs and is attended by workers that, while genetically female, cannot lay fertile eggs. Male hornets are docile and do not have stings.
  • Most species make exposed nests in trees and shrubs, but some build their nests underground or in other cavities.

Read more

Least weasel – Mustela nivalis – Comadreja

Least weasel – Mustela nivalis – Comadreja

The least weasel (Mustela nivalis), known as the “comadreja” in Spain, is the world’s smallest carnivore—measuring just 16–20 cm in length and weighing 25–45 g. These slender, nocturnal hunters sport seasonal coats—brown in summer, white in winter in colder regions—and feed on small rodents, insects, birds, and reptiles. In Spain, they thrive across diverse habitats, from Pyrenean woodlands to Andalusian fields. Females can produce multiple litters of 3–7 young per year, though wild weasels typically live only two to three years. Despite habitat loss and pesticide threats, conservation efforts help sustain their vital role as natural rodent controllers.

Iberian Lynx Population Reaches 2401 in 2024: Europe’s Most Endangered Cat Nears Recovery

Iberian Lynx population in 2025


The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), once critically endangered, has reached its highest population ever recorded. As of 2024, there are 2,401 wild Iberian lynxes across Spain and Portugal. This 19% increase over the previous year marks a milestone in one of Europe’s most ambitious conservation programs. From fewer than 100 in 2002, the species is now expanding in both range and breeding strength—yet challenges remain. (Iberian Lynx Population Reaches 2401 in 2024)

Read more

Brown Bear Populations in Spain: Pyrenean Recovery and Cantabrian Stability

Brown bear 2024 Pyrenees population
Updated 2024 Population Figures Highlight Growth and Ongoing Challenges

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) has been making a cautious comeback in Spain over the last two decades. Two geographically isolated populations—the Pyrenean brown bear and the Cantabrian brown bear—are following different conservation paths. New data from 2024 reveals progress in both regions, alongside some pressing genetic and ecological concerns.

Read more