Beekeepers warn of Asian hornet threat and call for UK awareness campaign
Summary
British beekeepers have warned that the invasive Asian hornet is harming native bees and other pollinators, which threatens food production and biodiversity. They are calling for a national campaign in the UK to raise awareness, support public reporting, and help control the spread of the hornet.Key Facts
- The Asian hornet, originally from southeast Asia, arrived in Europe around 2004 and continues to spread.
- Warmer springs and summers may be helping the hornet population grow.
- At the end of summer, hornets produce new queens that start new nests in spring, increasing their numbers across Britain.
- Asian hornets prey on native insects, including honeybees, damaging pollination and honey production.
- The National Bee Unit (NBU) destroyed a record 161 nests in 2025 to limit the hornet’s spread.
- Genetic tests in 2024 showed that hornet queens survived winter and established new nests.
- Public help is vital: nearly 30,000 sightings were reported in 2024, leading to the discovery of 24 nests.
- New technologies like radio transmitters and AI systems are being tested to find and control hornet nests faster.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
