Asian Hornet Hornets United Kingdom Invasive Species National Bee Unit

Asian Hornet: An In-depth Look at the Invasive Species in the United Kingdom

Introduction

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is an invasive species that has been creating a buzz in the United Kingdom since its arrival in 2016. This hornet, native to Southeast Asia, poses a threat to native wildlife, particularly honeybees, and can also be a nuisance to humans.

Identification

Asian hornets are distinctive insects, with a black and yellow body and distinctive red-tipped abdomen. They are slightly smaller than native European hornets, with a body length of around 25 mm. Asian hornets have a black velvety thorax and a distinctive yellow-orange face. Their wings are dark brown with a yellow band near the base.

Behaviour

Asian hornets are social insects that live in colonies. They build their nests in trees, shrubs, or buildings. These nests can hold up to 10,000 hornets and are fiercely defended by the workers. Asian hornets are predators and scavengers, feeding on a variety of insects, including honeybees, flies, and wasps.

Impact

Asian hornets pose a significant threat to native wildlife, particularly honeybees. They are known to attack and kill honeybees, decapitating them and taking their thoraxes back to their nests to feed their young. This can have a devastating impact on honeybee populations, which are already under pressure from other factors such as habitat loss and pesticides.

Asian hornets can also be a nuisance to humans. Their stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people. In addition, Asian hornets can be aggressive if their nests are disturbed.

Management

The National Bee Unit (NBU) is responsible for managing the Asian hornet in the United Kingdom. The NBU works to detect and destroy Asian hornet nests, and to raise awareness of the threat they pose. The public is encouraged to report any suspected Asian hornet sightings to the NBU. There are several methods used to control Asian hornets, including trapping, nest destruction, and the use of insecticides.

Conclusion

The Asian hornet is a serious invasive species that poses a threat to native wildlife and humans in the United Kingdom. The National Bee Unit is working to manage the Asian hornet population, but the public can also play a role by reporting any suspected sightings.