The UK ’s Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence is today ( Monday 20 May ) recommend UK beekeepers and the world to be increasingly vigilant to the presence of Asiatic hornets and report any sightings as we move into the elevation summertime time of year .
The Asiatic hornet is smaller than our native hornet and poses no large endangerment to human health than our native wasps and hornets . However , they do pose a risk to beloved bee and insect pollinators .
Asian hornets are typical and can be identified by their very dark body , wide orange banding on the quaternary abdomen division , and yellow wooden leg cease . Any sighting can be made via the Asian Hornet Watch App .
The warning fare after 2023 saw a phonograph record number of Asian hornet found in the UK . The Animal and Plant Health Agency ’s National Bee Unit assist every credible sighting , locating and destroying 72 nest in 56 location with the majority of nests found in Kent . The National Bee Unit carry on to stand ready to react quickly and effectively to any further potential sightings .
The National Bee Unit persist in to take legal action to eradicate the Asiatic hornet in the UK , and this spring roll out trapping in areas where there was an increase risk that Asiatic hornet queens may have overwinter . The trap , which have the means to tolerate non - target invertebrate to break loose , have been set at locations across Kent , East Sussex , Devon , and North Yorkshire .
Asian hornets are not yet launch in the UK . former housing is a key part of our surveillance for this invasive species and fundamental to our eradication effort .
Defra ’s Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said:“By ensuring we are alerted to potential sightings as early as possible , the public can help us take swift and effective action to stamp out the terror posed by Asiatic hornets .
" While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than other wasp or hornets , they can damage honey bee colony and harm other pollinators .
" Please retain to be vigilant for any Asiatic hornets and if you reckon you ’ve recognize one , report your sighting through the Asiatic hornet app or online . "
If you suspect you have seen an Asiatic hornet you should describe this using the iPhone and Android app ' Asian Hornet Watch ' or by using our on-line story form . Alternatively , e - mail[email protect ] . Please include a pic if you could safely hold one .
Identification guides and more info are available and if you keep bees you should keep up to date with the late billet on the gov.uk sighting Sir Frederick Handley Page and on BeeBase .
It is of import to take care not to go up or agitate a nest . Asian hornet are not in general aggressive towards masses but an exception to this is when they comprehend a threat to their nest .
This announcement coincides with the first of Chelsea Flower Show , where Defra is hosting an interactive display highlighting the cattle ranch of Asian hornet and the hazard to our honey bees and groundless pollinators with the aim of lift cognizance of the Asian hornet amongst gardener and the industry .
Source : gov.uk
Frontpage photograph : © Fewerton | Dreamstime
