Latest news with #AsianHornet
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Asian hornet spotted in Mordon sparks fears of nest
An Asian hornet has been spotted in a village, sparking fears of a hornet was seen on 28 May in Mordon, County Durham, when the insect flew out of a polytunnel.A National Bee Unit inspector has visited the area and put up monitoring Campbell, from the British Beekeepers' Association, explained that just one queen hornet "could set up a nest". "What we are worried about is increasing numbers of Asian hornets in the UK," he said."We are seeing really scary numbers from the Channel Islands and we have had a very warm spring."The entire problem with hornets in Europe began with a few in the south of France 20 years ago."All it takes is one queen, so we don't take any reports lightly at all." There is still no confirmed origin of the hornet in Mordon, despite local Campbell added: "There is no apparent way of the hornet arriving there."It either managed to fly over the Channel or made it over through the transportation of goods."In 2025 there have been 24 sightings in England of Asian hornets so far, with concerns the number of nests needing to be destroyed will eclipse the 24 last invasive species feeds on native bees and wasps, damaging diversity. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Record-breaking Asian hornet nest found in Guernsey
The earliest-ever primary Asian hornet nest containing active workers has been found in nest was found inside the housing of an old water pump in Les Mauxmarquis in St Andrew last States of Guernsey said this nest was "quite different" to two other nests already found because the number of active workers is "something that we'd expect to see in three or four weeks' time".The invasive species, first discovered in the Channel Islands in 2016, feeds on native bees and wasps, damaging biodiversity. Julia Henny, the senior natural environment officer for the States of Guernsey, said the find was "extraordinary for Guernsey".She said Asian hornet activity had matched spring in starting earlier this had been "a huge increase in Asian hornet numbers this year" across the Channel Islands, she added."Unfortunately this spring we've had fairly consistent quite strong easterly winds and really they just helps blow them all over from France," she said."This is right on our doorstep - there's very good populations in France and every year, they will try and make their way over to establish here so we have to be vigilant every single spring." The States said record numbers of queen Asian hornets have been captured in Guernsey this year with 63 recorded, the majority of which were caught by volunteers in traps. It said this was the highest number of queens since the Asian hornet strategy was implemented in Henny said: "Asian hornets are not meant to be here. "They evolved in Asia and unfortunately, when they've been sort of taken out of that ecosystem and plonked in a new one, they don't have any of those predators and pests and diseases so there is nothing to keep that populations in check."Following the find, Ms Henny reminded islanders to check sheds, outbuildings and even bird boxes for signs of an Asian hornet asked anyone who suspects they have found an Asian hornet or nest to send a photo and details to the Guernsey Asian hornet team via asianhornet@
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Residents urged to report sightings of 'aggressive' Asian hornet
Kent residents have been urged to report sightings of yellow legged hornets which have been described as a "highly aggressive' insect. Experts at the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) said people should tell the Non-native Species Secretariat "as soon as possible" if they spot the hornet. Formally known as the Asian hornet, the BCPA said they prey on native insects and pose a "significant threat" to honeybees and other pollinators. "These invaders could disrupt our native ecosystems and impact crop production," said Nial Gallagher BCPA technical manager. 'Do not disturb an active nest' Yellow-legged hornets have already been sighted in 2025, the BCPA added. They detailed that hornets had been spotted in Kent in Canterbury, Deal, Appledore, Ramsgate, Langley, Folkestone, Broad Oak, Nonington and Sandwich. A record number of sightings of deadly insects were recorded in the UK in 2023. That year the National Bee Unit said it destroyed 72 nests in 56 locations – most of which were in Kent. Why are there so many Asian hornets in Kent? Mr Gallagher said the insect is smaller than its native counterpart. It has an orange head, almost entirely dark body, and an abdomen with fine yellow stripes and a yellow or orange segment near the base, he detailed. They do not pose a greater risk to human health than native hornets. Their legs are dark and have yellow tips, whereas native hornets have entirely dark legs, according to Mr Gallagher. "Yellow-legged hornets may sting, so it's important not to disturb an active nest," he continued. Mr Gallagher urged anyone who discovers a nest to seek help from the BCPA. "Anyone tempted to try a DIY treatment must be certain any product they choose is licensed for use in the UK and must always strictly adhere to the instructions on the label," he added.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Jersey warning after record number of Asian hornet queens found
Warning after hundreds of Asian hornets trapped 10 minutes ago Share Save Lisa Young BBC News Share Save PA Media On Sunday, the Jersey Asian Hornet Group said 887 Asian hornet queens had been trapped Islanders have been urged to check their properties for Asian hornet nests as a record number of queens have been trapped. On Sunday, the Jersey Asian Hornet Group (JAHG) said 887 Asian hornet queens had been trapped, up from 619 on 24 April, compared to 200 captured in the whole of 2024 and 298 in 2023. Founders of JAHG said a total of 58 embryo nests had been found and warned that worker hornets will soon start to leave the nests. John De Carteret, from JAHG, said: "People get stung as the increasing number of workers protect their nest from the slightest disturbance - and it hurts." 'Look up' Mr De Carteret said: "I cannot emphasise enough that now really is the time to be checking in and around your properties and to look up for any Asian hornet nests while they are still at the embryo stage. "This means that only a queen is present, because from now on more and more workers will be emerging from more and more nests." He said on this date in 2024 the count was 61 queen hornets and five nests, while in 2023 those figures were 71 and two. The first primary nest was found a month earlier this year than in 2024, he added. PA Media Mr De Carteret urged islanders to look up at their houses and outbuildings to check for Asian hornet nests In April, Alastair Christie, Jersey government's senior scientific officer for invasive species, said it had been "a good winter" for Asian hornet queens with consistent temperatures. The invasive species, first discovered in the Channel Islands in 2016, feeds on native bees and wasps, damaging biodiversity. Anyone who suspects they have found an Asian hornet is asked to send a photo and details to the Jersey team via asianhornet@ Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Chilling Asian Hornet warning as 1st nest of killer insect embryos found in UK this year
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KILLER insect embryos have been discovered in the UK for the first time this year, according to experts. The ruthless species, also known as the yellow-legged hornet, can spell disaster for pollinators such as honey bees. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 An Asian Hornet nest was found in the UK this month Credit: getty 2 A full nest can eat the equivalent of 50 bees a per day Credit: getty Originating in south east Asia, the invasive hornets made its way to Europe as a stowaway and quickly became established. The embryo nest found this month, contained one queen who was preparing to multiply, was found in Langley, Kent on April 16 this year. She was the seventh queen found this year on the mainland but the first to be discovered with a nest. Last year, a total of 24 nests were found, destroyed and taken to a laboratory - where scientists studied the contents to learn more about the insects. Asian hornet queens can hibernate overwinter in the UK before emerging in the spring to lay eggs. Spring is a crucial time for the Animal and Plant Health Agency's National Bee Unit, who attempt to disrupt their breeding cycle before they can become a bigger threat. A full nest can eat 11 kilos of bugs per season - an equivalent of 50 bees per hornet per day. So far this year, queens have been found in Kent, East Sussex, Shropshire and Hampshire, according to official data, with the first captured in Shropshire in January. Jersey in the Channel Islands has also seen a significant number of queen sightings this year. Members of the public can report sightings of the hornets, which are smaller than their European cousins and have distinctive yellow legs, on the Asian Hornet Watch app and online. How asian hornets are taking over the UK Experts believe it is thanks to members of the public that they have been able to find and destroy queens sooner. Kate Wilson, Head of the Animal & Plant Health Agency's National Bee Unit, said: 'Yellow-legged hornets cause significant damage to native pollinators, including our much-loved honey bees. 'That's why APHA's National Bee Unit continues to take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by yellow-legged hornets, all as part of ongoing monitoring and surveillance work to protect our pollinators. 'Thanks to increasing reports to the Asian Hornet Watch app and online, it is not unexpected that sightings may occur earlier in the year. 'We encourage the public to remain vigilant and continue to report any potential sightings to us.'
