Latest news with #NationalBeeUnit
BBC News
2 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.
The Guardian
2 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.
The Guardian
3 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.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Ministers urged to tackle surge in Asian hornets after rise in sightings
This year could be the worst ever for Asian hornets in the UK, scientists are warning, after a rise in sightings of the invasive insect. The National Bee Unit says there were 73 credible sightings up to the end of last month – more than double the 28 recorded in the same period last year. Experts from the unit have also found 28 nests so far this year. One nest can house up to 3,000 of the insects. Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, can badly harm native pollinator insects, including honeybees, threatening food security and ecosystems, ecologists say. The species was sighted in record numbers in the UK in 2023, and last September UK experts saw evidence for the first time of the queens over-wintering. In May this year, their numbers were described as unprecedented. The Liberal Democrats have accused the government of not taking the issue seriously enough and are calling for a task force to deal with the problem. Martin Wrigley, MP for Newton Abbot in Devon, told The Telegraph: '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 species, which spread from Asia to Europe in a pottery consignment sent to France in 2004, was first spotted in Britain in 2016, and numbers have been rising since. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has warned that without early detection and a rapid response, the species could gain a foothold in the UK. Sightings usually peak from September, and people are urged to report any sightings on the Asian Hornet Watch app. Ian Campbell, of the British Beekeepers Association, said that this year appeared to be a 'surge year' for yellow-legged hornets, in part because of the weather. 'There is significant worry that this year is going to be ahead of 2023, which is the worst year we've had so far,' he said. He called for authorities to try to eradicate the species before it became fully established. The invasive species is mostly found in Kent and East Sussex but has also been seen in Surrey, Hampshire and London, and even as far as Co Durham. It's thought they come into the country on vehicles. Ecologists say that except for parts of Scotland, all of Britain has a suitable climate for yellow-legged hornets. Asian hornets also have a dark abdomen with a band of yellow, while native hornets' abdomens are predominantly yellow. A spokesman for the Animal and Plant Health Agency told The Telegraph: 'Our highly skilled staff work 24/7 to tackle the threat of invasive non-native species, which cost the economy nearly £2bn a year. 'The yellow-legged hornet response, as with other outbreaks, is managed through a roster of trained nest destructors and inspectors that is scaled up as required based on reports and seasonal fluctuations.' They said it was not unexpected to see more reports of sightings as public awareness of the insects increased. A spokesman for Defra said the government would 'never waver in its duty to protect the UK's biosecurity' and pointed to its establishment of a new £200m biosecurity centre and an additional £10m for new surveillance projects.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
Ministers urged to tackle surge in dangerous Asian hornets after rise in sightings
This year could be the worst ever for Asian hornets in the UK, scientists are warning, after a rise in sightings of the invasive insect. The National Bee Unit says there were 73 credible sightings up to the end of last month – more than double the 28 recorded in the same period last year. Experts from the unit have also found 28 nests so far this year. One nest can house up to 3,000 of the insects. Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, can badly harm native pollinator insects, including honeybees, threatening food security and ecosystems, ecologists say. The species was sighted in record numbers in the UK in 2023, and last September UK experts saw evidence for the first time of the queens over-wintering. In May this year, their numbers were described as unprecedented. The Liberal Democrats have accused the government of not taking the issue seriously enough and are calling for a task force to deal with the problem. Martin Wrigley, MP for Newton Abbot in Devon, told The Telegraph: '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 species, which spread from Asia to Europe in a pottery consignment sent to France in 2004, was first spotted in Britain in 2016, and numbers have been rising since. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has warned that without early detection and a rapid response, the species could gain a foothold in the UK. Sightings usually peak from September, and people are urged to report any sightings on the Asian Hornet Watch app. Ian Campbell, of the British Beekeepers Association, said that this year appeared to be a 'surge year' for yellow-legged hornets, in part because of the weather. 'There is significant worry that this year is going to be ahead of 2023, which is the worst year we've had so far,' he said. He called for authorities to try to eradicate the species before it became fully established. The invasive species is mostly found in Kent and East Sussex but has also been seen in Surrey, Hampshire and London, and even as far as Co Durham. It's thought they come into the country on vehicles. Ecologists say that except for parts of Scotland, all of Britain has a suitable climate for yellow-legged hornets. Asian hornets also have a dark abdomen with a band of yellow, while native hornets' abdomens are predominantly yellow. A spokesman for the Animal and Plant Health Agency told The Telegraph: 'Our highly skilled staff work 24/7 to tackle the threat of invasive non-native species, which cost the economy nearly £2bn a year. 'The yellow-legged hornet response, as with other outbreaks, is managed through a roster of trained nest destructors and inspectors that is scaled up as required based on reports and seasonal fluctuations.' They said it was not unexpected to see more reports of sightings as public awareness of the insects increased. A spokesman for Defra said the government would 'never waver in its duty to protect the UK's biosecurity' and pointed to its establishment of a new £200m biosecurity centre and an additional £10m for new surveillance projects.
