Good news, but remain vigilant for local sightings.

The original message about the sighting from the NBU … Dear Beekeeper, The National Bee Unit has confirmed a sighting of an Asian hornet in the Ascot area of Berkshire, after it was reported by a member of the public and has initiated a contingency response. What Can I Do? Familiarise yourself with the Asian Hornet:Monitor your apiaries using monitoring traps: Information on the Asian hornet pages of BeeBase at http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?sectionid=117Ensure your BeeBase records are up to date with apiary locations and contact information. Log in at https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/login.cfm to check your details Report any suspect sightings with your smart phone or tablet, by using the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app: for Android and iOS devices.online at: http://www.brc.ac.uk/risc/alert.php?species=asian_hornetby email to: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include as much information as possible in your email; where you saw the sighting, your name and contact details and if possible an image. Please note that during outbreaks the NBU receive high numbers of calls and emails. Therefore, we ask that you use the information given above to report sightings. Where possible please use the app or electronic form. We thank you in advance for your co-operation and continued vigilance. To unsubscribe to these updates, please log in https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/login.cfm and update your preferences.

Jim Wynn, RBKA’s AHAT Leader, and Surrey BKA’s AHAT Coordinator comments …

“And just when I thought we had got away with it for another year ! …

Asian Hornet identified in Ascot

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/asian-hornet-identified-in-ascot

Please pass this message round, be vigilant and pay attention to correct identification.

https://www.bbka.org.uk/faqs/identifying-asian-hornet

… but I wish we could change the name to yellow legged hornet to save some of the false sightings.”

This is the story so far

Mainland UK	Confirmed sightings	Nests destroyed
2016	3	1
2017	1	1
2018	9	4
2019	5	3
2020	1	1
So far 2021	1	–

Jim

If you haven’t downloaded the Asian Hornet Watch app yet – then please do. 

Jim Wynn

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COMMUNICATION

REMEMBER if a sighting is suspected, first inform the RBKA AHAT member via jimwynn333@hotmail.com and be able to report it to the national team through one of the methods below:

1 The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app, available free for both Apple and Android
2 Via a web form Bit.ly/report_hornet
3 Emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
4 Phoning your nearest action team member found here bit.ly/AH-action-team

More information here www.ahat.org.uk

Would YOU be able to recognise a Hornet or a Nest as being of the Yellow Legged Hornet variety?

In this August 2020 update;

Our Surrey AHAT Coordinator Jonathan Brookhouse tells of a found nest not being quite what was feared upon first sight;

And our AHAT Leader, Jim Wynn, reminds us all of the need to become confident in correctly identifying YLH’s and the importance of capturing sightings on camera.

First, this from Jonathan Brookhouse …

Again, another quiet month nation-wide, and no confirmed sightings of Asian Hornet in the UK so far (25 August). I’m musing that that the reason for this is that the Covid lockdown has reduced the movement of people and perhaps also goods across borders so much that there is little opportunity to be inadvertently brought over.  Less traffic, less opportunity.

The other possibility is that Covid has stopped people being out and about so that sightings are fewer and somewhere, without our knowing, AH is living happily undisturbed.

I think it is the former as I heard that there have actually been more reported sightings from the public than this time last year.

However, we need to stay vigilant, as we are coming up to the season when they really begin to multiply if there are any about.

An interesting exercise follows; at the beginning of August, a vigilant member of public sent this image of a nest in her garden to one of our members Barrie Lloyd, as she knew he was a beekeeper and may be able to identify it. Barrie passed it on to me, it was late in the afternoon and the light was fading.

What do you think this is?

The garden where this was taken is in Highcliff, a few short miles away from Christchurch where two related nests were destroyed in early October 2019.

Now, what do you think this is?

As I looked at the image, I thought the same… big nest in a tree…classic…it’s got to be…

However, we asked for a clearer image which was kindly taken about an hour later by the daughter of the garden owner on her phone that had a better camera, and this image was sent through…

NOW, what do you think it is?

I was now ready to grab my net and specimen jar, jump into my trusted Honda, call out the cavalry and lead the charge with guns blazing!! But…

Look closer…blow up the image and look underneath, attached to the nest…

My conviction began to fade and as I passed it on to the local AHAT lead to investigate, asking if it could be investigated as soon as possible pointing out the underneath and mentioned that the image doesn’t give a proper perspective of size. The outcome was that an AH team member went around the following day and she found that is was a wasp nest. They actually found two and arranged for them to be destroyed as there was an elderly neighbour next door which was a concern.

I hope you enjoyed that story and I hope it’s all the excitement we have this year regarding Asian Hornets … Stay vigilant!

Jonathan Brookhouse.

And now this from Jim Wynn …

Do please bear in mind that as Beekeepers, we have a very important public role as ‘Verifiers of Reports of Yellow Legged Hornet sightings’.

As our guest speaker, Lynne Ingram, mentioned earlier this month, some 8000 reports of sightings received by the Asian Hornet Watch Team are unable to be classified either as ‘definitely could be’ or ‘certainly are not’ YLH’s due to the vagueness of descriptions or clarity of captured images. As a rule, beyond acknowledging such reports, few of them may ever be actively followed up.

So, even if you remain unsure yourself after comparing with notices, posters or on-line references, do try to include with your report to the Asian Hornet Watch team good quality (decent resolution) photos of what you have seen or are describing. This will help the team to either positively discount or actively pursue your report.

Jim Wynn

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COMMUNICATION

REMEMBER if a sighting is suspected, first inform the RBKA AHAT member via jimwynn333@hotmail.com and be able to report it to the national team through one of the methods below:

1 The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app, available free for both Apple and Android
2 Via a web form Bit.ly/report_hornet
3 Emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
4 Phoning your nearest action team member found here bit.ly/AH-action-team

More information here www.ahat.org.uk

“UK beekeepers on

lookout for bee-eater?”

Filmed, edited and produced by Tony Smith, with additional camera work by Robert Hall, the 2.28 min video was published by the BBC on 3rd June 2020.   

‘Spotted’ by Mike Hill and remarked by our AHAT Leader Jim Wynn as being  “A good video” … well worth a watch. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-52896891/asian-hornet-uk-beekeepers-on-lookout-for-bee-eater

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COMMUNICATION

To repeat, if a sighting is suspected, first inform the RBKA AHAT member via jimwynn333@hotmail.com and be able to report it to the national team through one of the methods below:

1 The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app, available free for both Apple and Android
2 Via a web form Bit.ly/report_hornet
3 Emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
4 Phoning your nearest action team member found here bit.ly/AH-action-team

More information here www.ahat.org.uk

Is the Yellow Legged Hornet arriving?

In this May 2020 update, our Reigate AHAT Leader Jim Wynn poses the question. 

I had hoped the lack of people movement would cut down the number of YLH arriving in the country as a number in the past do seem to have been hitch hikers.

The problem at the moment is that it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a starter wasp nest and a starter YLH nest.

So the advice is …

If you suspect a nest to be YLH,  leave it be and observe.

If the nest has already fallen of, due to wind say, and you think it is a YLH nest then close it over with soft tissue paper, so the contents do not fall out in transit, wrap it all in cotton wool, put it in a small box with extra padding to prevent it from moving at all in the box and send it to the NBU lab. for testing.

Please send it for the attention of Kirsty Stainton at the NBU Laboratory, room 02G06, National Agri-Food Innovation Centre, Sand Hutton. York, YO41 1LZ. With a cover note in the box explaining what is inside, where it was found and could it please be verified.

Please let me know about any action you have taken and I will inform the Surrey AHAT coordinator.

The situation isn’t helped at the moment with stories about the Giant Asian Hornet appearing on social media, so confusion will follow.  If you haven’t looked at how to tell and explain the difference between wasps, European hornet and the yellow legged hornet, please re familiarise yourself. And make sure you have the Asian Hornet App on your phone.

Thanks for your vigilance

Jim

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STARTER NESTS

Below are some examples of starter nests. They are from France, from Jersey, and from West Sussex. Not all are made by Asian Hornets. Can you identify which is which?
Reporting a sighting stays the same, by the methods that you already know about. (See below photos.)

COMMUNICATION

To repeat, if a sighting is suspected, first inform the RBKA AHAT member via jimwynn333@hotmail.com and be able to report it to the national team through one of the methods below:

1 The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app, available free for both Apple and Android
2 Via a web form Bit.ly/report_hornet
3 Emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
4 Phoning your nearest action team member found here bit.ly/AH-action-team

More information here www.ahat.org.uk

AHAT AGM Report

Jim Wynn, November 2019

IDENTIFICATION AND NAMING

There is no doubt that the general public are very interested and concerned about the Asian Hornet problem.

RBKA members have shown a keen interest in learning about the hornet and we have had two successful AH sessions and an AH stand at our recent honey show.

Anecdotally, however, there is confusion in the public and amongst some beekeepers about how to identify the insect.

So, we urge all members to familiarise themselves with its characteristics and be confident about your ability to identify the Asian Horne (Vespa velutina nigrithorax).

Crucially, we need all members to be able to describe the characteristics to the general public in simple non-scientific terms.

In an effort to draw out the main differences with our native European Hornet we would like members to start to use the alternate name Yellow Legged Hornet (YLH), as it is known in Asia.

The three main differences for easy identification are:

                                                 Yellow Legged Hornet                     European Hornet

      1       Legs                                      Yellow                                               Dark

      2       Abdomen               Dark, velvety & 1 stripe                        Mainly Yellow

      3       Size                                 Smaller 25mm                                Larger 30mm

The YLH also has an orange face but it is black from above, so not a good differentiator.

ACTION

There is some debate about trapping and the action necessary to find nests and destroy them. Since the YLH is a non-native species it is illegal to release once trapped. So, current advice from the national AHAT is to set up bait stations and observe. If the correct bait is used as the YLH shifts from a carbohydrate feed to a protein feed, then the YLH will return, making positive identification more likely.

March:
Set out small dishes of sugary bait where they are easily and regularly observed.

May/June
Change bait to protein. eg bits of fish finger or cat food. To keep birds away chicken wire may be needed.

Communication

During the year we have passed YLH information directly to members and through our web site.

To repeat, if a sighting is suspected, first inform the RBKA AHAT member via jimwynn333@hotmail.com and be able to report it to the national team through one of the methods below:

1 The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app, available free for both Apple and Android
2 Via a web form Bit.ly/report_hornet
3 Emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
4 Phoning your nearest action team member found here bit.ly/AH-action-team

More information here www.ahat.org.uk

RBKA do not recommend that members follow AHs and find nests as there is no insurance cover for this action.

APIARY ACTION

We will be adding YLH observation and control methods and approaches to our education programme so that beginners are able to identify and observe YLHs as well as advice on shields and muzzles for hive protection.

SIGHTINGS

There has been less sighting so far this year, 5, compared to 9 last year. Interestingly most sightings are in September and October each year. This is due to the increase in a nest’s hornet population at that time of year. The fear is that one nest can produce many potential queens that could survive a mild winter and produce and exponential growth in colonies in the new year.

Recent confirmed sightings and announcements – 2019

1. Christchurch, Dorset – confirmed 10 October, nest destroyed
2. Christchurch, Dorset – confirmed 1 October 2019 – nest destroyed
3. Ashford, Kent – confirmed 9 September 2019 – single hornet captured
4. Tamworth area, Staffordshire – confirmed 2 September 2019 – nest destroyed
5. New Milton, Hampshire – confirmed 3 July 2019 – single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in 2018

1. Dungeness, Kent – confirmed 15 October 2018 – single hornet captured
2. Guildford, Surrey – confirmed 28 September 2018 – single dead hornet
3. Brockenhurst, Hampshire – confirmed 26 September 2018 – nest destroyed
4. New Alresford, Hampshire – confirmed 24 September 2018 – nest destroyed
5. Fowey, Cornwall – confirmed 20 September 2018 – nest destroyed
6. Hull, Yorkshire – confirmed 9 September 2018 – single dead hornet
7. Liskeard, Cornwall – confirmed 7 September 2018 – single dead hornet
8. Fowey, Cornwall – confirmed 3 September 2018 – nest destroyed
9. Bury, Lancashire – confirmed 13 April 2018 – single hornet sighted with photograph

Bee Craft hold informal live webinars to discuss aspects of beekeeping – to which you can submit your questions for the ‘Hangout’ team to answer live on air.

Whether you participate directly or simply observe the discussions, the Hangouts will inevitably provide another great source of ideas, suggestions, views or opinions about may aspects of beekeeping.

Click to CATCH-UP NOW with the Hangout held on 2nd October 

Bee Craft Live: Asian Hornet Special 2019

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Look out for details of the next Topics & Dates click here  You can submit questions prior to the show via the link below, or you can send it during and the panel will do their best to answer. [Read more…]

BBKA Asian Hornet Week

If possible please try to spend an hour a day observing your colonies during Asian Hornet Week. September is the month which sees the maximum number of Asian Hornets so if we have any in our area now is the time to be looking.

If possible take a picture and report the sighting using one of the links here Bit.ly/report_hornet.  Jim Wynn AHAT

At our first 2019/20 Winter Meeting at Woodhatch on Wednesday 4th September, Jim talked us through what we as Beekeepers need to be doing to look out for and react to sightings of the AH’s … and to be prepared to help verify reports from the public of sightings.

The complete presentation is provided here.

Click this link Asian Hornet Presentation JW Sept 2019  or the image below to open the presentation as a pdf file.

 

 

 

At the Wednesday 24th July Henfold meeting, Jim Wynn our AHAT leader, presented an update on the status of • Asian hornet sightings  • Practising tracking flight paths  • Key ID features  • Understanding the life cycle  •  Monitoring traps  •  Potential lmpact  •  (some) Hive protection options.

Click this link asian hornet Presentaion JW 24 7 19  or the image below to view the full presentation, and consider these key Actions.  

• • • • • • • Learn how to identify
              • Small, 1 yellow band, yellow legs
            • Learn how to report
              • Bit.ly/report_hornet
            • Think about trapping
              • Needs constant monitoring
              • bit.ly/monitoring_trap
            • Learn about feeding
              • BBKA News pages 228 on
            • Think about a shield or a muzzle
              • Can help stop wasps too

 

 

 

As announced by Celia Perry at our meeting on Wednesday (3rd July), the National Bee Unit has confirmed a sighting of an individual, female Asian hornet in New Milton, Hampshire, after it was reported by a member of the public. Based upon visual examination, the hornet is likely to be a queen.

Monitoring is underway to detect any other Asian hornets in the vicinity and to identify any nests which may be in the vicinity. Local beekeepers are asked to be vigilant.

As Celia commented then, we should all be vigilant as well. 

This is the first confirmed sighting since October 2018, when a sighting of an individual hornet was confirmed in Dungeness, Kent.

Nicola Spence, Defra Deputy Director for Plant and Bee Health, said:

By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. That’s why we are working at speed to locate and investigate any nests in the New Milton area following this confirmed sighting.

While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than a bee, we recognise the damage they can cause to honey bee colonies and other beneficial insects.

Please continue to look out for any Asian hornets and if you think you’ve spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.

If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet you can report this using the iPhone and Android app ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ or by using our online report form. Alternatively, you can email alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include a photograph.

Identification guides and more information are available and if you keep bees you should keep up to date with the latest situation and advice on our GOV.UK rolling news story.

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RBKA’s new AHAT Leader is Jim Wynn … and he has a few very important items of information for you.

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ALL members should be aware of the …

 

National AHAT website: https://ahat.org.uk

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In particular, for guidance about …

Monitoring, go to:  https://ahat.org.uk/monitor-dont-kill/

Observing, go to:  https://ahat.org.uk/monitor-dont-kill/trapping/

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It is also recommended that you download the Asian Hornet Watch app to your smart phone.

Register with iRecord via the app and use it to register sitings of AH.

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Would YOU be able to be a member of our AHAT?

Respond to reported sitings of an AH on our patch by helping to validate such sitings and assist the NBU in further actions they may take to locate nest sites.

Contact Jim to offer, or for more info.

◊

ALL members should be aware of the AH life cycle…

To: All Area Association Secretaries & AHAT Co-Ordinators
From: Anne Rowberry, Trustee and Vice-Chair
Date: 13 February 2019
Reference: Asian Hornet Newsletter no. 1

A WAKEUP CALL – ARE YOU READY?

I have just read an article on DVAV (Dorsal-Ventral Abdominal Vibrations) and I think we as Beekeepers need to take on the message – ‘work is on the horizon’. Not the Spring Inspections or frantic frame making or even booking tickets for the Spring Convention, but we need to be busy. Now is the time to take an extra stroll around woodlands before they come into leaf to check no uninvited guests have been building nests. There won’t be any Asian Hornets in the nests but it may indicate that there could be overwintering queens about to emerge in the area.

Hopefully your area Association has established an Asian Hornet team with each branch or club in the Association having their own team.   

Geoff Blay is Reigate’s AHAT coordinator and would welcome volunteers to form the basis of our own team of responders to reports of Asian Hornets. Go To Post

It is really important that each member of the team is aware of the main identification points of the Hornet and has an information card to refer to if needed (these can be obtained from the NBU or downloaded from their website). Every beekeeper team member needs to be sure about the identifying features of the Asian Hornet (the Yellow Legged Hornet) . We need beekeepers confident about; what it looks like, able to refer sightings to NNSS and where possible video, photograph or preserve the specimen. [Read more…]