Latest news with #AsianHornets
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
The Government's migrant deal with France is unlikely to make a difference
SIR – I live in Normandy, where we have regular influxes of Asian hornets (report, August 4). I don't think people in Britain appreciate quite how dangerous these insects are. Their stinger is so big it draws blood, and the pain is one of the worst I have ever experienced. I was stung multiple times a couple of years ago and had to go to hospital. In France, if you find a nest you must report it immediately to your local mairie (town hall), and officials will send an exterminator to deal with it next day. The only way to eradicate them is to make reporting mandatory. Richard Baker Chasseguey, Juvigny les Vallées, France SIR – We apiarists are very concerned about this insect invader. Two beekeepers here trapped several Asian hornets a couple of years ago, and informed Defra immediately. It responded quickly and a large nest was discovered nearby, and destroyed. This pest is a risk to both bees and humans, and I would urge a 'no tolerance' attitude from the public. Report any sightings, especially near southern ports, which can inadvertently bring Asian hornets to our shores.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Asian hornet's unique buzz may hold secret to containing invasive species
Asian hornets buzz at a unique frequency that could be the key to controlling their spread, scientists have found, as the invasive species experiences a record year in the UK. Researchers have said this is 'great news', as the hornet nests can now be more quickly found and distinguished from those of other species, meaning their threat to bees and other pollinators could be contained. Vespa velutina dismember and eat bees, and have thrived in France, where they have caused concern because of the number of insects killed. They sit outside honeybee hives and capture bees as they enter and exit, and chop up the smaller insects and feed their thoraxes to their young. Just one Asian hornet can hunt down and eat 30 to 50 honeybees in a day. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ Their numbers have soared in recent years in the UK. There were 57 sightings in 2023, more than double the previous seven years combined, and 2024 broke that record with 71 confirmed sightings. This year, that number has already been surpassed; the National Bee Unit is reporting 73 Asian hornet sightings and 28 nests in 2025 to date – more than double the 28 recorded sightings in the same period last year. The large wasps overwintered in the UK for the first time in 2023-24, which means they could be in the country for good. Scientists, beekeepers and the government have battled hard to keep hornet numbers down, running a national hornet-spotting campaign so their nests can be identified and destroyed. But despite this, their numbers continue to increase, putting native pollinators at risk. Now, scientists at the University of Southampton have made a breakthrough, establishing for the first time the frequency and volume of the sound from their nests. This means detection and removal of the creatures could become faster and easier. They have established the fundamental frequency of Asian hornet nests to be 125 hertz and the loudness in the region of 51 decibels, which is comparable to a normal conversation. The new research means the sound can be used to distinguish them from the nests and hives of other wasps and bees. This will be particularly useful in September and October, when the nests peak. Acoustic engineering graduate Sophie Gray, who undertook the research, said: 'We observed and measured two Asian hornet nests and a European hornet nest in Jersey before they were destroyed. We found that the fundamental frequency is 125 hertz and that the nest can be detected from about 20 metres away with a directional microphone. 'We also recorded European hornets and honeybees to determine if we can differentiate the frequency. The fundamental frequency of the European hornet is about 110 hertz and honeybees about 210 hertz. It was great news to discover that the frequency is unique for each species, so they are distinguishable.' The species first came to Europe in 2004, when the hornets were spotted in France, and it is thought they were accidentally transported in cargo from Asia. They have since spread rapidly across western Europe.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Science
- Telegraph
New hope for honeybees following breakthrough in tracking predators
Giant Asian hornets kill British honeybees and destroy entire hives in hours - but scientists now have a new weapon in the fight against the destructive insects. The sound the predatory hornets make is lower in tone than that of native honeybees and this could speed up the discovery, identification, and destruction of nests before they can wipe out nearby colonies. Asian hornets eat honeybees and can eviscerate a beehive in just two days. The non-native bug with yellow legs is twice the size of a normal bee. They are increasingly being found in the UK, with twice as many sightings so far in 2025 as in the same period for 2024. Officials ask members of the public who see an Asian hornet nest to report it to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), who will destroy it if confirmed. Scientists from the University of Southampton conducted the first analysis of the sound the hornets make and found they have a lower tone than the buzz of honeybees. The work has been presented at conferences and is in the process of publication in a scientific journal. There is about an octave of difference between the two pitches of the flying insects analysis found, with English honeybees at 210Hz and the Asian hornets humming at 125Hz. 'Asian hornet nests can be difficult to find because there is no typical place where they build them,' said Sophie Gray, co-author of the research. 'They can be underground, or 50 feet up a tree, or in a bird box, or a bush – they can be anywhere. 'It typically takes two to three days to find the nest once a sighting of an Asian hornet is reported – and in that time the hornets can have completely killed a beehive of upwards of 20,000 bees.' She added: 'We believe that the acoustic signature of Asian hornet nests can be used to locate and destroy the nests. 'Importantly, we believe this detection can be done from a safe distance as we have found that Asian hornets become highly aggressive within 10 metres of the nest, which is difficult since the nests are often well camouflaged despite their size.' The Asian hornet arrived in Europe in 2004 and is now established in France and other countries, and was first seen in Britain in 2016. This year is on track to be a record high for Asian hornet sightings with 37 confirmed sightings already. Experts urged officials to take advantage of the 'window of opportunity' before they become fully established. The Liberal Democrats have accused the Government of not taking the issue sufficiently seriously and demanded Defra set up a task force to deal with the problem. Martin Wrigley, the MP for Newton Abbot, said: 'The previous Conservative government was asleep at the wheel in their response to Asian hornets so the government has got to wake up to the risks and get a grip on this invasive species now – especially ahead of August and September, when new females are born. 'We urgently need a fully fleshed task force dedicated to this invasive insect to reduce delays between reporting nests and their destruction. It's time this Government took our biodiversity and the safety of our communities seriously.'
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Asian hornet's unique buzz may hold secret to containing invasive species
Asian hornets buzz at a unique frequency that could be the key to controlling their spread, scientists have found, as the invasive species experiences a record year in the UK. Researchers have said this is 'great news', as the hornet nests can now be more quickly found and distinguished from those of other species, meaning their threat to bees and other pollinators could be contained. Vespa velutina dismember and eat bees, and have thrived in France, where they have caused concern because of the number of insects killed. They sit outside honeybee hives and capture bees as they enter and exit, and chop up the smaller insects and feed their thoraxes to their young. Just one Asian hornet can hunt down and eat 30 to 50 honeybees in a day. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ Their numbers have soared in recent years in the UK, with 57 sightings in 2023, more than double the previous seven years combined, and 2024 broke that record with 71 confirmed sightings. This year, that number has already been surpassed; the National Bee Unit is reporting 73 Asian hornet sightings and 28 nests in 2025 to date – more than double the 28 recorded sightings in the same period last year. The large wasps overwintered in the UK for the first time in 2023-24, which means they could be in the country for good. Scientists, beekeepers and the government have battled hard to keep hornet numbers down, running a national hornet-spotting campaign so their nests can be identified and destroyed. But despite this, their numbers continue to increase, putting native pollinators at risk. Now, scientists at the University of Southampton have made a breakthrough, establishing for the first time the frequency and volume of the sound from their nests. This means detection and removal of the creatures could become faster and easier. They have established the fundamental frequency of Asian hornet nests to be 125 hertz and the loudness in the region of 51 decibels, which is comparable to a normal conversation. The new research means the sound can be used to distinguish them from the nests and hives of other wasps and bees. This will be particularly useful in September and October, when the nests peak. Acoustic engineering graduate Sophie Gray, who undertook the research, said: 'We observed and measured two Asian hornet nests and a European hornet nest in Jersey before they were destroyed. We found that the fundamental frequency is 125 hertz and that the nest can be detected from about 20 metres away with a directional microphone. 'We also recorded European hornets and honeybees to determine if we can differentiate the frequency. The fundamental frequency of the European hornet is about 110 hertz and honeybees about 210 hertz. It was great news to discover that the frequency is unique for each species, so they are distinguishable.' The species first came to Europe in 2004, when they were spotted in France, and it is thought they were accidentally transported in cargo from Asia. They have since spread rapidly across western Europe.
Scotsman
6 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?
