## 4 Discussion
[41] reported the sensitivity of males to sex pheromones produced by virgin gynes (the reproductive AH females) and identified the exact compound produced in the sixth intersegmental sternal glands of the virgin gynes' abdomens as 4-oxo-decanoic acid that once synthesised artificially worked well. Other scientists such as [PERSON] et al. [42] and [PERSON] et al. [43] have been exploring the composition of these pheromones and have also concluded the usefulness of these pheromones for attracting males of the AH, but also, however, from other wasp species. The peaks of captures observed in our study, coincident with the life cycle peaks of the AH in the Spring (primary workers) and later in the cycle in the Autumn (secondary workers), were also reported by different authors (e.g., Refs. [16; 44; 45; 46]). Under current circumstances, investment in the commercial equipment tested (traps and baits) is not recommended, should artisanal production be possible, as this option is the most economical. While other capture forms are studied, using traps with attractants remains a practical alternative. Despite its limitations in the control of invasive AHs, trapping remains an effective measure to monitor the presence and spread of the species. In addition, the trapping of AHs may persist as a useful method to study the ecological aspects of the species' dispersion. For this purpose, we have used the number of captured AH to evaluate their most suitable ecology. The increase in captures with the increase in the number of beehives is obviously justified by the AH's predatory behaviour directed at the honeybee. The hornet's hunting behaviour is closely tied to the availability of its prey, particularly in regions where beekeeping is prevalent. Several studies (e.g., Refs. [16; 44; 45; 46]) highlight the direct impact of AHs on honeybee populations, showing how the presence of more beehives can attract more hornets due to the increased food supply, especially during the summer months when the needs of the colonies in protein increase to feed their larvae [44; 47]. The positive effect of albedo on the captures of Asian hornets suggests that areas with higher reflectivity might influence the hornet's behaviour, possibly by affecting the thermal conditions of the environment. Although direct studies linking albedo to hornet activity are scarce, the influence of surface reflectivity on microclimate conditions could be a factor, as suggested in broader ecological studies on insect behaviour by [PERSON] [48]. Another important fact related to albedo is the lack of dense vegetation in the immediate surroundings of the apiaries that may facilitate the predation activity of the AH. Nevertheless, NDVI positively influences hornet captures, likely due to the association between healthy vegetation and the availability of prey. This result corroborates that of [PERSON] et al. [49]. The authors explain this influence with the distribution of the AH's prey spectrum, including honeybees and other wasps. Areas with higher levels of vegetation provide abundant food resources [50; 51] and suitable conditions for nesting [22; 44]. Precipitation and its seasonality play a crucial role in the availability of resources and the establishment of hornet populations. Higher precipitation supports lush vegetation and insect populations, as discussed in the previous paragraph. The increase in captures with the aridity index is also linked to how this index affects the availability of water resources and vegetation. The positive correlation between elevation, slope, and captures suggests that AHs might find certain elevations and sloped terrains more conducive to nesting and hunting. Hornets are known to exploit varied terrains for nesting sites, which can affect their spatial distribution [52]. Elevation is positively correlated with precipitation which was found to correlate with the number of captures. A study conducted by [PERSON] et al. [52] has also found steeper slopes as most suitable for AH nesting.