​June 3 on the BBC – Asian hornets latest with SBKA’s AHAT Co-ordinator

The BBC’s Chief Environment correspondent Justin Rowlatt (pictured above) is running a series of news features about Asian hornets (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) across BBC channels tomorrow (Wednesday, June 3).
Our AHAT coordinator Lynne Ingram (also pictured) was one of the experts he interviewed for his investigation into this non-native insect
He spent a very hot and sunny time with Lynne in her home orchard apiary to talk about the impact Asian hornets would have if they became established here.
Lynne said: “This is a great opportunity to get the information about Asian yellow legged hornets out to a wider public; to encourage everyone to keep their eyes open for this invasive species; to be able to identify it, and then to report it.
“Also, Justin was interested in the way beekeepers have formed themselves into Asian Hornet Action teams across the country in readiness for any possible incursions.”
Catch the news reports on:

• Radio 4 bulletins from 6am (on the hour)
• Today programme at 7.20 with Martha Cearney
• Breakfast TV
• News Channel
• Digital video on BBC News

Asian hornets are slightly smaller than native European hornets and look like large black wasps with an orange face and yellow legs:

• An Asian hornet queen is up to 30mm long; workers are up to 25mm long.
• Asian hornets are dark brown or black with a velvety body and the abdomen is almost entirely black except for a yellow fourth abdominal segment. Legs are brown with yellow ends.

Asian hornets are a notifiable invasive species and should be reported immediately, preferably with a photo using:

• the Asian Hornet Watch app
• email asianhornet@somersetbeekeepers.org.uk or alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
• online at www.nonnativespecies.org/alerts/asianhornet