Latest news with #AsianHornet
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
University researchers find Asian hornets' 'unique sound'
Researchers have identified the unique sound of Asian hornet nests and said it could be the key to finding and removing them.A team at the University of Southampton said they had established the frequency of the invasive insect species for the first believe it paves the way to faster detection and removal of their nests, as a surge in numbers is experienced this Sophie Gray said building a drone that could locate nests would be the next step. So far this year, there have been 37 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, also called yellow-legged hornets, in the National Bee Unit has also reported 73 sightings and 28 nests in 2025 to date – more than double the 28 recorded sightings in the same period last researchers said that meant nests, which peak in numbers during September and October, could be detected and their sound used to distinguish them from the nests and hives of other wasps and project was led by Paul White, professor of statistical signal processing at the university, and project advisor Adrian fundamental frequency of the nests has been found to be 125 Hz, with a loudness in the region of 51 decibels, which is comparable to a normal conversation."The nest can be detected from about 20m away with a directional microphone," Ms Gray said. Asian hornets are not yet established in the UK and all discovered nests are destroyed. "They first came to England through Kent in 2016 and in the last two to three years have begun to establish themselves here," Ms Gray said."They can be underground, or 50 feet up a tree, or in a bird box, or a bush – they can be anywhere."She added that by the time a sighting was reported "the hornets can have completely killed a beehive of upwards of 20,000 bees".Sightings of an Asian hornet should be reported to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Tiny transmitters on Asian hornets a 'game-changer'
Tiny tracking devices, weighing less than 160mg, are being hailed a "game-changer" in the fight against the invasive Asian National Bee Unit has begun trialling this ground-breaking technology, fitting transmitters to hornets in a bid to help find their Asian hornet nests have been discovered so far this year, the vast majority in the south-east of England. It's a record number for this time in the season. Genetic tests on hornets discovered in Kent and Sussex have revealed for the first time that second-generation hornets are being produced in Great Britain. Tracy Wilson, from the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA), called the new trackers "game-changers" in their work and said the speed at which nests could now be found would mean resources were freed up to find more Etheridge, from the National Bee Unit, has been experimenting with the transmitters in the UK over the past week. "We've already used six tags and we've found six nests, so it's going to speed things up dramatically for what we do in the field," he nests can be very high up and hard to spot. One of the nests found using the trackers was in dense woodland. Finding a nest in this environment using traditional tracking methods, timing a hornet's return to a bait stations and looking at flight lines, can take hours if not Mr Etheridge said by using the transmitters the nest was found "in no time at all". "We were able to go under the nest and point the receivers around a few trees... and then we slowly narrowed it down," he said. Fitting the tracker is delicate work. A female worker hornet is captured from a bait station and weighed to check she is large enough to carry the transmitter - ideally over 400mg. She is then encouraged to crawl up a long tube and a plastic pen-shaped tool is inserted into the tube to hold the hornet by her abdomen. The transmitter is then hooked onto the petiole, or waist, of the hornet before she is released, in the hope that she flies back to her the receivers bee inspectors can track the hornet up to 1km (0.6 miles) away. 'Major threat to honeybees' The transmitter trial has been so successful that APHA has ordered three more kits from the manufacturers in Holland. The new technology has come at a crucial moment in the UK's fight against these invasive predators, which are seen as a major threat to honeybees and other 53 nests found so far this year numbers are considerably up on last year and look set to break 2023 records when 72 nests were the nests that are found are sent to Fera Science laboratories near York, where scientists analyse the hornets' DNA. Recent DNA testing has shown that four queens discovered in the South East this spring were likely offspring of two nests destroyed in Udimore near Rye, East Sussex, and Coldred near Dover, Kent, last autumn. Those nests were themselves offspring of nests found in is the first evidence of second-generation Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, being produced in the UK. However, the discovery is not considered strong evidence of an established population. Ms Wilson said APHA was still hopeful it could eradicate the Asian hornet."We would have to have much, much higher numbers where we see clear DNA links from year to year, for us to have any evidence that says that this is now established in the UK," she said it was unlikely the four queen Asian hornets discovered this spring were the only second-generation hornets to have survived. There are miles of open countryside between their original 2023 nests and where the second-generation queens were found this she said they could not make policy based on speculation as "for all of our controls, we have to have that science backing, we have to have the evidence to deal with it".She called the new trackers "game-changers" in their work and said the speed at which nests could now be found would mean resources were freed up to find more nests. The National Bee Unit is entering its busiest time of year in the fight against the yellow-legged Asian hornet. Queen hornets will be growing their colonies and establishing large secondary is vital the secondary nests are found before the next generation of queens emerge and disperse in the small team of hornet detectives in the unit say they rely on the public to provide them with credible spotting one is asked to take a photo and report it on the Asian Hornet Watch app.
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
My dog has eaten a wasp, what now? When to worry, sting treatment - and Asian Hornets explained
Dogs and wasps don't mix. | Canva/Getty Images It's peak wasp season - and this year another stinging insect is making its presence known. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The UK is experiencing one of its hottest summers on record, with sustained heatwaves throughout June and July creating an unexpected consequence: a surge in aggressive wasp activity far earlier than usual. Alongside this, the invasive Asian hornet continues to pose a serious threat to native wildlife and public safety. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While the insect has yet to become established in Scotland, dog owners could encounter them while on holiday in England - and the Scottish Government is actively preparing for their expected imminenet arrival. To help out Rachel Garbutt, Vet Nurse at Butternut Box, has offered advice about the health risks dogs face from wasp and Asian hornet stings, and how owners can keep their pets safe. What Are Asian Hornets and Why Are They a Concern? Asian hornets, or Vespa velutina, are easily identifiable by their dark, velvety brown or black bodies, distinct bright orange legs, and a prominent yellow-orange band near the tail. Unlike native wasps, they are known for their more aggressive nature and their ability to sting multiple times. Their venom can cause significant pain and, in some cases, severe allergic reactions. Curious pets, particularly dogs, may accidentally disturb nests while on walks in parks, woodlands, or even in their gardens, leading to painful stings. What to Do If You Spot an Asian Hornet or Nest If you spot Asian hornets or suspect a nest near your property or along your usual walking routes, it is crucial to keep pets away immediately and report the sighting to local pest control authorities or the Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS). You can do this via their app, Asian Hornet Watch, or their website. It is paramount to avoid attempting to remove or disturb nests yourself, as this can provoke a highly aggressive swarm response, putting both you and your pet at significant risk. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Wasp stings and walkies Alongside the emerging threat of Asian hornets, wasp activity typically peaks during the summer months, particularly in late summer as their food sources change. Wasps can sting repeatedly and are more likely to become aggressive when their nests are disturbed or they feel threatened. Dogs enjoying walks, garden playtime, or sniffing around picnic spots are prime candidates for accidental stings. What to do if your dog gets stung Take a close but gentle look at your dog's skin for any swelling, redness, or a visible sting. Unlike bees, wasps don't leave their stinger behind, so you won't have to worry about removing one. Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh, cool water and a quiet, shady spot to relax. Try to keep them from licking or scratching the sting, since that can make things worse or cause an infection. Watch for signs like vomiting, swelling around the face or neck, trouble breathing, weakness, excessive drooling, or collapse. If any of these happen, it could be a serious allergic reaction, and you'll need to get them to a vet right away. Applying something cold, like a cold pack or a damp cloth, to the sting can help ease pain and reduce swelling. To avoid more wasp stings, try to stay away from known nests, cover outdoor food and drinks, and consider planting natural repellents like mint, eucalyptus, or thyme in your yard. Generally, if your dog has been stung, it's best to offer water but hold off on feeding them right away, especially if they seem uncomfortable, swollen, or are showing any signs of distress. Feeding could sometimes upset their stomach further or interfere if they need medication later. Your Dog Ate a Wasp — Now What?
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Warning after surge in Asian hornet sightings
The sting is often compared to a red hot needle 🐝 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets across the UK. The Asian hornet is said to have an incredibly painful sting. Members of the public are being warned following a rise in sightings. There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, with members of the public being warned to stay vigilant. Asian hornets are believed to have arrived in France on a shipment from China in 2004. They are an invasive species which pose a significant threat to many of the UK's native insects, including honey bees. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There have been 37 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, in 2025, mainly in Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and Shropshire. There have been 182 confirmed sightings since 2016. This figure includes a total of 119 nests, all of which were destroyed. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. Members of the public are being warned not to destroy Asian hornet nests. | MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images What does an Asian Hornet look like? The yellow tailed hornet, also known as the Asian hornet, has a slightly different appearance to wasps and other hornets - most prominently, it has a distinctive black/dark body, with a wide orange stripe on the fourth abdomen section and yellow leg ends. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What should you do if you see an Asian Hornet? If you see an Asian hornet you should report this immediately, do not try to approach or tackle the hornet yourself, as they are generally seen as more aggressive than wasps and will potentially sting unprovoked. The government have a dedicated reporting system, so that sightings or locations of nests can be recorded and then removed by the invasive species team. If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet, take a picture if you can do this safely and provide details of the location it has been spotted. You can then either report this by filling out the online report form, or through the app 'Asian Hornet Watch', which is available on both iPhone and Android, alternatively, you can also contact the team by e-mail. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking in May 2024, Defra's Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said: 'By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, the public can help us take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. 'Please continue to be vigilant for any Asian hornets and if you think you've spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.' Why should you never destroy an Asian Hornet's nest? You should never approach or attempt to destroy an Asian hornet's nest. Whilst, they are not usually aggressive towards people, they can be if they perceive a threat to their nest. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. It is vital that if you see a nest you do not attempt to destroy it and instead contact the relative authorities so it can be recorded and properly managed. You can find out more about Asian hornets, what they look like and how to report a sighting at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Warning after surge in Asian hornet sightings
The sting is often compared to a red hot needle 🐝 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets across the UK. The Asian hornet is said to have an incredibly painful sting. Members of the public are being warned following a rise in sightings. There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, with members of the public being warned to stay vigilant. Asian hornets are believed to have arrived in France on a shipment from China in 2004. They are an invasive species which pose a significant threat to many of the UK's native insects, including honey bees. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There have been 37 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, in 2025, mainly in Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and Shropshire. There have been 182 confirmed sightings since 2016. This figure includes a total of 119 nests, all of which were destroyed. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. Members of the public are being warned not to destroy Asian hornet nests. | MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images What does an Asian Hornet look like? The yellow tailed hornet, also known as the Asian hornet, has a slightly different appearance to wasps and other hornets - most prominently, it has a distinctive black/dark body, with a wide orange stripe on the fourth abdomen section and yellow leg ends. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What should you do if you see an Asian Hornet? If you see an Asian hornet you should report this immediately, do not try to approach or tackle the hornet yourself, as they are generally seen as more aggressive than wasps and will potentially sting unprovoked. The government have a dedicated reporting system, so that sightings or locations of nests can be recorded and then removed by the invasive species team. If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet, take a picture if you can do this safely and provide details of the location it has been spotted. You can then either report this by filling out the online report form, or through the app 'Asian Hornet Watch', which is available on both iPhone and Android, alternatively, you can also contact the team by e-mail. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking in May 2024, Defra's Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said: 'By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, the public can help us take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. 'Please continue to be vigilant for any Asian hornets and if you think you've spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.' Why should you never destroy an Asian Hornet's nest? You should never approach or attempt to destroy an Asian hornet's nest. Whilst, they are not usually aggressive towards people, they can be if they perceive a threat to their nest. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. It is vital that if you see a nest you do not attempt to destroy it and instead contact the relative authorities so it can be recorded and properly managed.
