seeder 31,266 #1 Posted September 20, 2016 Quote Invasive Asian Hornet spotted in Britain for first time, experts confirm An invasive hornet that kills honey bees has been spotted in Britain for the first time, experts have confirmed. The Asian hornet was found near Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Work is under way to find and destroy its nests. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has set up a three-mile (5km) surveillance zone. Defra said it had been anticipating the hornets' arrival "for some years" and had a "well-established protocol in place to eradicate them". The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), which is up to 2.5cm (1in) long, is now common across Europe after being accidentally introduced to France in 2004 in a shipment of pottery from China. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-37421846 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freetoroam 40,843 #2 Posted September 20, 2016 (edited) While there have been no confirmed sightings of the insects in the UK, there are fears they could make their way across the English Channel. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/asian-hornets-arent-coming-to-the-uk-for-now-a7042511.html Well, they are here now! Defra said it had been anticipating the hornets' arrival "for some years" and had a "well-established protocol in place to eradicate them". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-37421846 Better get their skates on, because they were first discovered here a few months back: this report from 13:50, 17 May 2016 These frightening photographs appear to show the first of a horde of killer two-inch wide Asian hornets spotted in Britain after heading across the English Channel from France.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3594745/Are-killer-Asian-hornets-reach-Britain-Horde-TWO-INCH-wide-venomous-insects-making-beeline-channel-killing-six-France.html#ixzz4KpYrjcQq Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook Nicola Spence, from Defra, said: "It is important to remember they pose no greater risk to human health than a bee, though we recognise the damage they can cause to honey bee colonies. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-37421846 The danger is there to humans, as we see below, So although no greater than a bee, add them with the bees here, surely the risk for some will be increased as they now have bees AND the asian hornet to deal with: They have since spread throughout the country and at least six people have already died from anaphylactic shock after being stung by the animals, which can devour up to 50 honey bees a day. Edited September 20, 2016 by freetoroam 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lucas Cooper Merrin 2,728 #3 Posted September 21, 2016 Brick the tunnel up and save more than just bees 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paperdyer 1,589 #4 Posted September 22, 2016 21 hours ago, Lucas Cooper Merrin said: Brick the tunnel up and save more than just bees Now, Now, Now, Lucas. You're starting to sound like an Englishman I work with. He refers to the French and Welsh and Scots by "cute nicknames" I'm part Welsh so he keeps calling me "Taffy" which is one of the nicer nicknames. If you really want to get under his skin, refer to England as Britain or call him British. He promptly corrects you back to English or gives you the famous Winston Churchill "V" for Victory sign. Then we'll go out and kill some brain cells. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bod 1 #5 Posted October 5, 2016 (edited) I saw a dead one I am pretty sure it was asian hornet as I lived in the tropics. It was pretty big. I think they wont survive the winter. Wonder where the one I saw came from, maybe it was a stowaway loner.. To say they pose no risk to human life is BS. One could kill you. They hit like a truck and dont stop hitting! Pray their nest is not nearby! Bees are not aggressive but these things are. they are nothing like bees at all lol More like african killer bees yeah... wrong continent... where are these "experts" getting their education? back of a postage stamp? Edited October 5, 2016 by bod 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seeder 31,266 #6 Posted October 5, 2016 whoa, see this nest Quote Giant Asian hornets are here, and they've set up home: Pumpkin-sized nest is found up a tree just a month after insects were first seen in Britain Nest was found at the top of a 55ft conifer tree in Tetbury, Gloucestershire Insects spotted in September and have since been seen in six locations The 'killer' hornets could pose a threat to Britain's honey bee population Have you been stung by one of these hornets, or have you found one Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3821495/Giant-Asian-hornets-ve-set-home-Pumpkin-sized-nest-tree-just-month-killer-insects-seen-Britain.html#ixzz4MEWxHuoB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
