An invasive species of hornet has been sighted at an apiary in Devon.

The Asian hornet is said to pose a very real threat to our native species of bees and is already common across Europe.

We reported last year that the Hornet had it’s first confirmed sighting in the Tetbury area in Gloucestershire.

Now The National Bee Unit says they have confirmed the species is in the Woolacombe area.

Following the successful containment of the Asian hornet incursion in Gloucestershire last year, we have a well-established protocol in place to eradicate them and control any potential spread

Nicola Spence, Defra Deputy Director for Plant and Bee Health

In a press release by Defra, they state that a programme is already underway to protect native bees.

This will include:

• setting up a surveillance zone around North Devon
• opening a local control centre to coordinate the response
• deploying bee inspectors across the area who will use infrared cameras and traps to track hornets and locate any nests
• readying nest disposal experts who will use pesticides to kill the hornets and destroy any nests

Our members have been aware of the threat posed by Asian Hornets, alongside other invasive species, for some time. The BPCA and its members form the first alert to these threats and are often called in to deal with such pests. Our members will do everything they can to maintain the health of our honey bee population and can be called upon to deal sensitively with any situation that arises.

Simon Forrester, BPCA Chief Executive

Monitoring the Asian hornets

The free Asian Hornet reporting app, was launched last March.

Since then it has been downloaded 6500 times already and allows people to quickly and easily report possible sightings of the invasive pest.

Pest controllers and members of the public can also report sightings by email to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk with a photo or on the Great Britain Non-native Species Secretariat website.

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