Asian Hornet Alert – from the NBU:

On Friday 4th October a nest was destroyed following the confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet near Christchurch, Dorset after it was reported by a member of the public. It is imperative that any Asian hornet colonies in the UK are detected and destroyed before queens are released. This is the time of year when colonies have been previously detected and we depend on alert beekeepers and members of the public to report sightings. As we have an abundant insect population, Asian hornets may not just be found in apiaries, they could also be at places where insects congregate – stands of ivy, for example, and on decaying fruit. At any sunny, warm period, take a little extra time – 20 minutes or more – to look around your apiary, any ivy and garden generally to help early detection of this alien insect.

What Else Can I Do?

• Familiarise yourself with the Asian hornet using our useful guides:
  Asian hornet information pages of BeeBase
  Asian hornet ID sheet
  Asian hornet poster
  ‘How to obtain a sample’ guidance

• Monitor your apiaries and observe local forage sites using monitoring traps:
  We have produced a useful guidance note and video on how to make a monitoring trap.

• Ensure your BeeBase records are up to date with apiary locations and contact information:
  We encourage you to use the online functionality to update your apiary records and also record if Asian hornet traps are situated in an apiary. Guidance on how to update your records can be found here.

• Cooperate with your local Bee Inspectors:
  Beekeepers within the area of the outbreak may be contacted by NBU Inspectors in order to carry out apiary surveillance, we kindly ask for full your co-operation with these visits.

• 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_hornet
  - by 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, we therefore ask that you use the signposting information above to report sightings, where possible preferencing the app or electronic form.

We thank you in advance for your co-operation and continued vigilance.

Kind regards,

National Bee Unit.