Asian hornet

Buzz off! The Asian hornet invasion
For the past few years, a new type of hornet has been terrorizing the United Kingdom and Ireland, raising concerns among beekeepers and environmentalists alike. The Asian hornet, an invasive species native to East Asia, is a formidable predator of honeybees.
The Asian hornet is slightly larger than its European cousin, with a distinctive yellow and black body and a long, pointed abdomen. But it's not just its size that makes it dangerous, but its predatory behavior. The hornets are known to attack honeybee hives in vast numbers, killing the bees and stealing their honey. A single hornet can kill up to 50 bees per minute, and a single nest can house up to 1,000 hornets.
The impact of the Asian hornet invasion has been devastating for beekeepers. In some areas, beekeepers have lost up to 90% of their hives, threatening the livelihoods of many. And it's not just beekeepers who are affected. Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem, pollinating crops and wildflowers. If the Asian hornet population continues to grow unabated, it could have a disastrous impact on our environment.
So what can be done to stop the Asian hornet invasion? The government has taken some steps, including setting up a national monitoring program and providing funding for research into ways to control the hornets. But it's not enough. We need to do more to protect our bees and our environment from this invasive species.
Here are a few things you can do to help:
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Be vigilant about looking for Asian hornets. If you see one, report it to the national monitoring program.

Avoid disturbing hornet nests. If you find a nest, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Contact a professional pest control company.

Support beekeepers. Buy local honey and beeswax products. And if you see a beekeeper in need of assistance, offer your help.

Together, we can stop the Asian hornet invasion and protect our bees and our environment.
Additional information
The Asian hornet is not native to the United Kingdom or Ireland. It is believed to have arrived in the UK in 2016, when a queen hornet was accidentally transported in a container of plants. Since then, the Asian hornet population has been spreading rapidly.
The Asian hornet is a serious threat to honeybees. In some areas, beekeepers have lost up to 90% of their hives. The hornets are also a threat to other insects, including butterflies and moths.
There are a number of things that can be done to help stop the Asian hornet invasion. These include:
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Reporting sightings of Asian hornets to the national monitoring program.

Avoiding disturbing hornet nests.

Supporting beekeepers.

The Asian hornet invasion is a serious threat to our bees and our environment. But by working together, we can stop it.