Asian hornets - the beekeeper's next big test

Asian hornet experts briefed the South West Beekeepers’ Forum and posed outside the venue with an outsize model of the invasive insect. Pictured are, from left to right, Dr Pete Kennedy, a research fellow at the University of Exeter; North Devon beekeeper Martyn Hocking, who discovered Asian hornets in his apiary last year; South West Beekeepers’ Forum Chairman Peter Darley; beekeeper Bob Hogge from Jersey where Asian hornets established within a year.

​At this week’s meeting of the South West Beekeepers’ Forum (SWBKF) the focus was firmly on the Asian hornet.
The Forum represents about 10,000 beekeepers from Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Jersey, Salisbury, Somerset and Wiltshire beekeeping associations.
Among the experts meeting up in Taunton were:

• Dr Pete Kennedy, a research fellow at the University of Exeter, who is involved in a research project to develop techniques to track hornets back to their nest.
• Jersey beekeeper Bob Hogge described how the invasive insect arrived on the island two years ago and had spread rapidly.
• Devon beekeeper Martyn Hocking, who spotted Asian hornets in his apiary last September, urged associations to develop action teams to support individual beekeepers.
• SW Bee Inspector Simon Jones said it was vital for all beekeepers to be able to identify an Asian hornet. And, of course, to send photos and/ samples to the Great Britain Non-Native Species Secretariat. 

Action plans have been drawn up by neighbouring associations and SBKA will be looking at what will work best here.  
For more info about the meeting, click here for the press release.