SOMERSET BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
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Press Releases

Asian hornet week – September 7-13, 2020

20/8/2020

 
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Somerset beekeepers are calling on the public to pick up their smart phones and help defend the county’s bees against dangerous Asian hornets.
“See it, snap it and send it!” said Lynne Ingram, co-ordinator of Somerset’s Asian hornet action teams.
“We need the public’s help to save our bees from the Asian hornet which has been wreaking havoc through Europe since 2004,” added Lynne, a beekeeper with 30 honeybee colonies near Bridgwater.
Asian hornet week – September 7-13 – is a key time to spot the yellow-legged insects whose sting can be fatal and their arrival decimate native pollinators.
“Now is the time to spot the hornets so that their nests can be destroyed before they multiply.
“If you see a hornet take a photo, send it to us and we’ll do the rest. Or use the official Asian hornet watch app and report it.”
An Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) is about twice the size of a honeybee, has an orange face and a dark abdomen with a yellow fourth segment. Its thorax is entirely dark brown or black and velvety, and the insect has bright yellow tips to its legs.
“The arrival of the hornet in Britain is especially bad news for bees - a favourite food source - and a single hornet can completely devastate a beehive, devouring up to 60 at a time.”
In the autumn Asian hornets can be spotted on flowering ivy, fallen fruit and hawking honeybees outside their hives as well as catching other pollinators.
Asian hornets have been spotted in the UK and are rampant on the Channel Islands after they were accidentally introduced into southern France from China.
The University of Exeter is carrying our research into the impact Asian hornets are having on honeybees and other pollinators where they have become established.
Research Fellow and behavioural ecologist Dr Peter Kennedy said: “Asian hornets are anticipated to be a significant mortality factor influencing a broad spectrum of insects, including honeybees, on top of existing stressors (habitat loss, disease, pollution, climate change, etc.) that already impact our beleaguered native pollinator community. 
“Worldwide, invasive non-native species are recognised as being a serious threat to biodiversity, and it is consequently important that we encourage the public to be informed, vigilant and proactive in reporting the presence of Asian hornets and other invasive species.”
Report sightings to [email protected] or use the Asian hornet watch app. Photos, posters and even a colouring sheet to help identify the Asian hornet can be found on the Somerset Beekeepers’ website: https://www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk/resources.html
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  • Home
    • Devon Apicultural Research Group (DARG)
  • About
    • About the SBKA
    • History
    • SBKA Board of Trustees
    • Who's Who
    • Support Us
    • Donate to SBKA
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Beginners Courses
    • Advanced Courses
    • Apiary Meetings
    • Honey Shows
    • Lectures & Workshops
  • Members
    • Getting Started >
      • Joining SBKA
      • Introduction to Beekeeping
      • Beginners Courses
      • Life In a Honeybee Colony
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Beekeeping Suppliers
    • Education >
      • How To Guides
      • Video Guides
      • Courses and Qualifications
      • Examinations
    • Useful Links
    • Membership >
      • Benefits
      • Get Involved
      • Vacancies
      • County Membership
    • Members Area >
      • SBKA CIO Documents (Google Drive)
      • Members Yearbook
      • Members Blog
      • Former Charity AGM Info
      • Former Charity Council Meetings
      • Financial Info
      • Lecture recordings
      • Policies >
        • Safeguarding Policy
    • Pests & Diseases >
      • Asian hornet
      • Hygiene
      • Reporting Foulbrood
    • SBKA Newsletters
    • Beekeeping Suppliers
    • Research
  • Branches
    • Find Nearest Branch
    • Burnham >
      • Burnham Beginners Course
      • Burnham Improvers Course
      • Contact Burnham
    • Central >
      • Central Beginners Course
      • Contact Central
    • Exmoor >
      • Exmoor Beginners Course
      • Contact Exmoor
    • Frome >
      • Frome Beginners Course
      • Contact Frome
      • Frome Library
      • Frome Group Apiary
    • Mendip >
      • Mendip Beginners Course
      • Contact Mendip
    • Quantock >
      • Quantock Beginners Course
      • Contact Quantock
    • Somerton >
      • Somerton Beginners Course
      • Contact Somerton
    • South East >
      • South East Beginners Course
      • South East Newsletters
      • Contact South East
    • South West >
      • Contact South West
    • Taunton >
      • Taunton Newsletters
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      • Contact Taunton
    • Wedmore & Cheddar >
      • Wedmore & Cheddar Beginners Course
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    • Yeovil >
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  • News
    • Press Releases
    • Image Gallery
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  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Report a Swarm
    • Press & Media
    • Local Honey Search
  • Report a Swarm