South West harmful hornet alert

The arrival of the Asian hornet in the South West of England has been confirmed, prompting experts to warn the public to be vigilant.

The Asian hornet is an invasive species that can pose a serious threat to native wildlife, particularly bees. The hornets are known to attack beehives, killing the bees and taking their honey.

What is the Asian hornet?

The Asian hornet is a large hornet, measuring up to 3 cm in length. It has a distinctive black and yellow body, with a yellow head and black antennae. The Asian hornet is native to Asia, but has been accidentally introduced to Europe in recent years.

The Asian hornet is a predator and scavenger. It feeds on a variety of insects, including bees, wasps, flies, and caterpillars. The hornets also feed on honey and other sweet substances.

What is the threat to native wildlife?

The Asian hornet is a serious threat to native wildlife, particularly bees. The hornets are known to attack beehives, killing the bees and taking their honey. This can have a devastating impact on bee populations, which are already in decline due to other factors such as habitat loss and climate change.

The Asian hornet can also pose a threat to other insects, such as wasps, flies, and caterpillars. These insects are important pollinators, and their decline could have a negative impact on the ecosystem.

What can you do?

If you see an Asian hornet, please report it to the authorities. You can do this by calling the National Bee Unit on 0300 303 0301, or by emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk.

You can also help to protect native wildlife by taking the following steps:

• Be vigilant for Asian hornets, and report any sightings to the authorities.
• Support your local beekeepers. Beekeepers play a vital role in protecting bee populations, and they need our support.
• Plant bee-friendly flowers in your garden. This will help to provide food for bees and other pollinators.
• Avoid using pesticides. Pesticides can kill bees and other beneficial insects.

By taking these steps, we can all help to protect native wildlife from the threat of the Asian hornet.