Asian hornet threat to our honeybees

A FRESH invasion of Asian hornets poses a threat to our honeybees, experts say.

The invader, smaller than native hornets, prey on pollinating insects and could do serious damage to bee colonies here, which have not evolved to cope.

The insect was spotted in Bury, Gtr Manchester, in a cauliflower that was grown in Boston, Lincs.

It is the first confirmed sighting since last year.

Now Department for Environment experts are setting up traps to catch and destroy the hornets.

Nicola Spence, at the department, said: “We’ve a protocol in place to eradicate them and control any potential spread.”