With Asian Hornets now likely to be established in Kent, it is only a matter of time before this invasive, insect-gobbling species finds its way to the West Midlands with experts suggesting 2025 likely to be the year they arrive in the county.
Their invasion is costing the French economy a hefty €30.8 million per year since they arrived in 2004 while in Portugal, honey production has taken a significant hit, dropping by 35% in recent years. Over 50% of the Asian Hornet diet is honeybees but they also eat most pollinators including flies, bumblebees, butterflies, and dragonflies meaning their impact on our native ecosystem could be disastrous.
That’s why it’s paramount that everyone knows how to identify and report an Asian Hornet sighting via the Asian Hornet Watch app. They are around 2.5cm, smaller than the European Hornet, and are unique in having yellow legs, the easiest way to identify one.
“Our first line of defence is awareness” explains John Moseley, chair of the Malvern & Upton Beekeepers Association (MUBKA). “Nearly everyone on the island of Jersey, who have been dealing with Asian Hornets since 2016, know how to identify and report them.
“We don’t want our European Hornet and other insects misidentified and killed as they have enough stressors with many species already under threat’. Once identified via the app, Asian Hornet experts can locate and destroy the nest - one nest alone can produce up to 500 queens, making their advance throughout the UK an exponential one.
“Here in Worcestershire, we are planning a range of activities including talks about Asian Hornets to all sorts of group such as schools, WIs and Rotary Clubs and ideas on how to get involved,” continues John. “We would also like businesses to get on board too – be it tech companies designing species-specific Asian Hornet traps or businesses putting up posters. If anyone is interested in getting involved, then please contact MUBKA”.
