Asian Giant Hornet

[BeeJayBee]

Even a single hornet is not the end of the world; we "need" a fertilised Q to have a problem.

A fertilised queen is a single (solitary) hornet.

My concern is that our native hornet will suffer as a result of scare mongering tabloid articles.

It isn't just scared non-beekeepers that are killing native hornets by mistake. In this area some well-meaning beekeepers are putting out traps with an entrance hole big enough for the European Hornet to get through so they're killing (drowning) dozens.

 

[Karol]

I totally disagree with you Karol, we've got them everywhere here in France, and their heading East in towards the German border and South East, to the rest of France. They have made it right up in to Normandy and their now just across the Channel from the Kent coast. In my mind it won't be long before a queen hitches a lift on a ferry or the channel Tunnel.
Your quite correct , they do proliferate more in areas of high insect areas. but there is high insect areas in most of France, as well as marshy areas in the uk. we've seen more in areas with canals and inland waterways. They use these as their hunting areas, so the uk is an ideal place in my mind.
They have adapted to our northern climate here, last summer was poor here, and they still did well, foraging in cool temperatures!! When they first made an appearance in the Gironde area of france, We never even thought they would move north to any where near us, and instead they have gone past us, heading towards the uk so i think they will make it.
Even though last summer was pretty poor, in areas not trapped by beekeepers, there was many nests high in the trees after leaf fall.

On the flip Side, they have been no way near a problem as we first thought they might be.
I Trap in the spring and catch the queens that emerge from Hibernation. This is a really effective way of control.

I agree they probably won't be much of an overall problem, but never underestimate an insect. Remember they said that africanised honey bees would never make it as far north as they have!!
Completely different species, but...

Comparing Africanised honey bees to velutina is hardly relevant!

From what I understand velutina is struggling to make in roads further north and east and is largely confined to Bordeaux. I'm aware that there are pockets of velutina in Spain and Portugal but these are constrained to wetland forests/marshes in the north west.

We will have to agree to disagree. Insect densities in the UK are nowhere near the levels in France. We don't have the levels of surface water to sustain large insect populations and moreover, we have much higher human population densities which further reduce insect populations and available nesting habitats.

I still think the risk of velutina establishing itself in the UK is remote in the extreme. I wouldn't worry too much about the national beekeeping unit making predictions of doom about velutina. Wasps are not their speciality. The last literature that I've seen from the national bee keeping unit is dated back in 2010. We work closely with a widely spread network of pest controllers throughout the UK and haven't heard a peep about velutina and we're not expecting to either.

P.S. You might find this interesting:

https://inpn.mnhn.fr/espece/inventaire/I224

 

[Plenty of honey]

Comparing Africanised honey bees to velutina is hardly relevant!

I would Disagree with this too Karol, Even the top world entomologists got this wrong, They continue to do so!! I wasn't comparing the Africanised honey bee to the Asian Hornet, , like i said " completely different species...but" and i believe it is relevant. It just demonstrates just how dynamic insects are.

We will have to agree to disagree. Yes indeed!! Insect densities in the UK are nowhere near the levels in France. We don't have the levels of surface water to sustain large insect populations and moreover, we have much higher human population densities which further reduce insect populations and available nesting habitats.


We dont have huge waterways here in Brittany Either and have a very similar climate and temperature range to that of the south coast of the uk, so i would say its pretty ideal.
Honestly Karol, if you lived here you would realise how dynamic these insects are.

I still think the risk of velutina establishing itself in the UK is remote in the extreme.

Well you attached a link, that i have read and i am staggered that you say
And i quote:
"If you look at the geographical disposition of Velutina in France it has been largely constrained to the wetland forested areas around Bordeaux."

Take a look at the map attached to the link. The whole length and breadth of the country is infested with Asian Hornets with the exception of the south east and strangely enough, the infestation went North quicker than it did east, which must indicate they prefer coastal areas or the climate was more preferable to them?

You can see this on the original Studies done on this site, http://www.frelon-asiatique.com
they have maps, from beginning of infection to 2009 (i think)



I wouldn't worry too much about the national beekeeping unit making predictions of doom about velutina. Wasps are not their speciality. The last literature that I've seen from the national bee keeping unit is dated back in 2010. We work closely with a widely spread network of pest controllers throughout the UK and haven't heard a peep about velutina and we're not expecting to either.

P.S. You might find this interesting:

https://inpn.mnhn.fr/espece/inventaire/I224

My point is Karol, dont be surprised if they do, i really cant see how anyone can be so absolutely sure that it won't cross the Channel. Theres every reason to suspect it will and when it does, you guys will deal with it. It will be something to sort out, plan (selective) traps but you will deal with it. Their still keeping bees in the area of first infestation in the Gironde in France.!!

 

[Brian Bush]

Thank you Richard. It is good to hear from someone on the ground. Your comments and observations back up the picture painted by the bee inspector. The slow colonisation of South East France was thought of as an anomaly but there are now some infestations reported from over the border in Italy. We have to take this issue seriously. In areas of France where the local authorities are pro-active the situation can be controlled but in an area next door where the authorities are less concerned the problem is out of control. There is no real delegation of this sort of issue to local authorities in the UK. The NBU and inspectorate are note staffed enough or set up to cope.

 

[Teemore]

Hornets are not found in Ireland. If they have never made the hop from GB over the Channel to Ireland and become established, how likely is it that the Asian Hornet will make it over the English Channel and become established?

 

[Karol]

My point is Karol, dont be surprised if they do, i really cant see how anyone can be so absolutely sure that it won't cross the Channel. Theres every reason to suspect it will and when it does, you guys will deal with it. It will be something to sort out, plan (selective) traps but you will deal with it. Their still keeping bees in the area of first infestation in the Gironde in France.!!

I'm not easily surprised. I'm just stating that it's highly unlikely that velutina will establish itself in the UK. Bear in mind that I run a business which specializes in integrated wasp management and if velutina were ever to touch down successfully in the UK then it would be a significant fillip to my business. I just don't see it happening any time soon.

There you go I've tempted fate!

 

[Plenty of honey]

Thank you Richard. It is good to hear from someone on the ground. Your comments and observations back up the picture painted by the bee inspector. The slow colonisation of South East France was thought of as an anomaly but there are now some infestations reported from over the border in Italy. We have to take this issue seriously. In areas of France where the local authorities are pro-active the situation can be controlled but in an area next door where the authorities are less concerned the problem is out of control. There is no real delegation of this sort of issue to local authorities in the UK. The NBU and inspectorate are note staffed enough or set up to cope.

BeeJayBee is also making a very good point.
That if all uk beekeepers suddenly went out and put out non selective traps, we would probably upset the balance of things. Lots of common hornets would be killed, which in truth is not a good idea.
The common Hornet, Vespa Crabbo, has a unique place in Nature and co-exists quite happily with
Others. It eats a lot of nuisance insects, flies, mosquitos etc so it keeps their numbers to a level. Seriously dent this population and your asking for trouble.
Trapping can be done very effectively. In the spring, when queens awake from hibernation. Traps can be made reasonably selective.
Only this morning, I have emptied my traps, and in the 3 I checked ( I do others on a Rota when I visit apiaries) there was four dead queen Asian Hornets. And not any common hornets.
It could be a sign that the Asian is so dynamic that is is able to fly in cooler weathers.
Anyway my point is, we will never be able to get rid of this. Unfortunately it's here to stay, and it will affect many beekeepers across the south of the U.K. In years to come.
The French Government has classed this insects a "Class 2 "
So itsconsiders it a problem, but not something they are obliged to do much about!!
There is no doubt that if they went in with all guns blazing at the very start of the outbreak they would have seen control, but now it is impossible and damage limitation is the only option!!

Chris Luck who runs the planet passion forum. http://www.planetepassion.eu has been instrumental in demonstrating what effect the Asisn hornet has had on his apiaries. Have a read of the forum and his most recent article.
Chris does disagree with most type of traps, as he argues that many aren't selective enough, which he has a point ! It's something we should all be very aware of and accept a few common hornets will get trapped, but hundreds more to Asian Hornets will die as a result. That's the dilemma we face!

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=12926&stc=1&d=1461669069

 

[Plenty of honey]

There you go I've tempted fate!

Better order an anti Hornet suit now!!

 

[kazmcc]

I must say, the attitude towards our native hornet on here is quite refreshing. Over in some of the fb beekeeping groups is frightening. Kill all wasps and be done with it, which still surprises me because as beekeepers we ought to be the first people who understand that everything has its place.

 

[Brian Bush]

I must say, the attitude towards our native hornet on here is quite refreshing. Over in some of the fb beekeeping groups is frightening. Kill all wasps and be done with it, which still surprises me because as beekeepers we ought to be the first people who understand that everything has its place.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Over in some of the fb beekeeping groups is frightening. Kill all wasps and be done with it, which still surprises me because as beekeepers we ought to be the first people who understand that everything has its place.

Quite a few on here have the same attitude.

 

[kazmcc]

Quite a few on here have the same attitude.

Aye, they do, but most of the people who post regularly have the right attitude. I recently commented on a post where someone posted a picture of a wasp and said it was beautiful and they almost got the pitchforks out!

 

[Excession]

I don't think it has to be so binary.
I like wasps spring and Summer, when they are demolishing the garden pests for me. But come Autumn once they have reared their queens and are no longer feeding brood... Then they are the enemy!
So a love hate thing.