Beekeepers warn of Asian hornet threat to wildlife

BEEKEEPERS have warned of an “ecological nightmare” if Asian hornets attack wildlife and damage biodiversity.

Asian yellow-legged hornets are apex predator-eating flying insect pollinators, which are recognised by their distinctive appearance, featuring a dark velvety body, distinctive orange band on the fourth segment of its abdomen and yellow legs.

This invasive species, pictured inset, has rapidly spread across Europe and there is now concern that they are establishing in the UK. Asian hornets pose a threat to British bees by eating them or destroying bee hives and sightings should be immediately reported on the Asian Hornet Watch smartphone app.

Somerset Beekeepers Association, which represents 1,000 amateur beekeepers across the county, has written to Somerset Council and the wider public to be on the lookout for the insect which could cause an “ecological nightmare”. A senior figure has warned that council workers, contractors and grounds staff that cut and clear shrubs and trees and playing fields could inadvertently disturb the nests of Asian hornets.

Asian hornets can cause a painful sting and may result in anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening, but is treatable if action is taken quickly. The insect has killed a number of people in infected countries in both Asia and Europe and most of those were not beekeepers.

A Somerset Beekeepers Association spokesman said: “In Somerset, we are well ahead with our planning and have AH teams set up to respond to any potential sightings, even if they are incorrect. Nationally, DEFRA, are geared up to follow up from either calls from the public that have been passed onto local beekeepers or, and this is where we need SC’s help, from the Asian Hornet Watch app, which is totally free to download and use. An AH on its’ own is not a threat but disturbing a nest is a problem as they are very defensive. What we need is more eyes on the ground looking out for this quite distinctive ‘yellow legged’ hornet so that we don’t see our biodiversity destroyed with the impact they will have, if they get established, on pollination of all crops which are currently pollinated by flying insects and of course the Duty of Care of any workers who are unfortunate enough to hit a nest or get too close to one.”