The impending invasion of Asian hornets has sent shockwaves through the UK, as experts anticipate an exponential surge in their numbers. This threat looms large, as the hornets possess a formidable ability to obliterate entire beehives within hours. Last year’s 3,800% increase in sightings, soaring from two to 78, serves as a sobering reminder of the invasive nature of these insects.
First detected in the UK in 2016, Asian hornets have become a growing concern across Europe. While their venom poses no greater threat to humans than other wasps or bees, their destructive behavior towards insects poses a dire threat to the ecosystem. Asian hornets are known to raid the nests of other insects, chopping them up and feeding their thoraxes to their young, with the potential to kill up to 50 honey bees in a single attack.
In an effort to safeguard the UK from this invasion, Defra officials have pledged to eradicate any nests discovered. However, the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) has already reported four sightings this year, a worrying sign given that hornets typically remain dormant until summer. Ian Campbell of the BBKA sounded the alarm: “They’re rife in Europe now, causing complete devastation, and that’s what we’re facing this year… We could be looking at thousands, maybe tens of thousands, by the end of the year.”
The devastation caused by Asian hornets is not just a hypothetical threat. Kent beekeeper Simon Spratley witnessed the near-annihilation of his 17 beehives last year. He expressed his trepidation: “In my 13 years as a beekeeper, I’ve never been more frightened.”
Asian hornets are particularly formidable due to their hyperaggressive nature when approached within 50 meters. They emerge in swarms of thousands, wielding their 6mm stingers that can deliver repeated strikes. Once stung, the victim releases a pheromone that incites the entire swarm to attack, making escape virtually impossible.
These hornets, measuring up to 35mm in length, are characterized by their dark abdomens adorned with thin orange stripes (yellow in European species). British citizens are urged to report any sightings to Defra. A recent sighting in Kent, significantly earlier than last year’s first encounter, resulted in the capture and confirmation of an Asian hornet queen.
Diane Drinkwater, chair of the BBKA, expressed her concern: “I suspect this is a winter queen that was born here.” While this has yet to be confirmed, such a discovery would raise questions about the existence of undetected nests. “Their life cycle is not advanced enough for them to have developed workers by this point… We have seen a lot of rain so a lot of places where they hibernate might have been flooded.”
The potential impact of the Asian hornet invasion on the UK’s ecosystem and beekeeping industry cannot be overstated. With the threat of widespread devastation looming, it is paramount to report any sightings and take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of this invasive species.
