The government has urged the public to keep an eye on the Asian “predatory wasps” after bee experts reported the sighting of the terrifying insects in Essex. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) warned Wednesday that the “invasive species,” seen in the Raleigh area of Essex, poses a threat to honeybees. But authorities have emphasized that Asian hornets do no more harm to human health than ordinary wasps or hornets. DEFRA is still struggling to take “quick and effective” action to eradicate the threat of “beneficial insects”, and is calling on the British to keep an eye out.
Nicola Spence, DEFRA’s chief plant and bee health officer, said: “Ensuring that we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible will allow us to take swift and effective action to eradicate the threat posed by Asian hornets. That is why we are working with high speedy locating and investigating any nests in the area after this confirmed sighting.
“While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than other wasps or hornets, we recognize the damage they can cause to bee colonies and other beneficial insects.
“Please keep an eye out for Asian hornets and if you think you’ve seen one, please report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.”
The public has also been warned that it is crucial to ensure that you do not approach or disturb a nest. Asian hornets are not usually aggressive towards humans, but the insects may become irritated if they perceive a threat to their nest.
While Asian hornets are not native to the UK, this isn’t the first time the invasive insects have been spotted on British shores. According to the DEFRA website, there have been a total of 22 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets since 2016, not counting the most recent sighting this week.
Asian hornets appear much darker than other hornets and other wasp species and have larger heads relative to their body size compared to other wasps. They appear almost black, with dark spots over their abdomen on one half and yellow spots on the other. They also have legs that transition from brown to yellow at the ends and an orange face.
According to the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS), the Asian hornet first “arrived in France in 2004, where it rapidly spread” after it was thought to have arrived unknowingly on cargo. The species did not reach Britain until 2016, when a sighting was reported in Gloucestershire.
Since then, sightings have been recorded in the UK, including Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, Staffordshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and now Essex.
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The NNSS warns that it is important that any suspected sightings of this species be reported as soon as possible, as it is a “highly effective predator of insects, including honeybees and other beneficial species, which can cause significant losses to bee colonies, and potentially other native species.” types”.
Certain parts of England and Wales, and around major ports, are areas of particular concern where it is critical that people remain vigilant, especially between April and November when the Asian hornet is active (peak August/September). It is normally inactive in winter.
The insects are also known as yellow-legged hornets and are the largest members of the wasp family Vespidae. While most of the reported sightings do not actually appear to be the Asian hornet, it is clearly known to arrive and make nests.
dr. Gavin Broad, a wasp expert at the Natural History Museum, says: “The problem is they eat honey bees. They are specialized honey bee predators and beekeepers are concerned.
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“The hornets loot hives by sitting outside and catching workers as they go in and out. They chop them up and feed the thorax to their young.”
DEFRA has tried to stop a nationwide invasion of Asian hornets by eradicating individual Asiatic hornets and their nests, but there are fears that if the species establishes well in the UK there is probably very little that can be done about it.
dr. Broad is quoted on the Natural History Museum’s website as saying: “Right now we hope people notice the nests early enough. Nests have been destroyed in Britain but they would probably do very well if established. enough species for people to notice – but it only takes one queen to make it.”
If you suspect you have seen an Asian Hornet, please report it via the ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ iPhone and Android app. Alternatively, email [email protected].