Latest from Defra on YLH

[Gilberdyke John]

Didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers, sorry.
Philip is spot on with the lack of education in those who should know.
A neighbour keeps bees. Not only did she not know how to recognise a Vv but. Had no idea there were any found in the U.K. I downloaded the app on her phone.

The serious problem with trying to educate beekeepers let alone the general public about AH is imprecise reading of what's published. Some otherwise educated people read an article but actually take in a surprisingly low portion of what they've read. There's a comical saying half the world is below average intelligence but even in the above average sector learning and retaining accurately can be a struggle. Hence we get people proudly announcing they've seen "one of these new hornets" when in reality they've seen a large wasp (sometimes a queen or even a European hornet).
Going back some years before t'interweb, newspapers and hoardings were widespread, plus at that time the BBC was a respected source and every police station, library and public building had notice boards which distributed knowledge. (I can still see in my minds eye a poster of a Colorado beetle outside our local cop shop 70 years ago.) Technology has actually lessened dissemination of knowledge through cluttering our minds with nonsense.
I've not bought a daily newspaper for years now as what used to be a few pennies now approaches or exceeds a couple of pounds, television news is full of opinions instead of facts and it becomes ever harder to filter out real news or truth from dross. God help future generations.

 

[Erichalfbee]

(I can still see in my minds eye a poster of a Colorado beetle outside our local cop shop 70 years ago.)

Heavens! I remember those. I used to scour my dad's allotment for these things....thankfully never found one

I've not bought a daily newspaper for years now as what used to be a few pennies now approaches or exceeds a couple of pounds, television news is full of opinions instead of facts and it becomes ever harder to filter out real news or truth from dross. God help future generations.

I do read them online. You would think that the journalists working with differing editorial/political viewpoints were reporting from different planets.

 

[Garry R]

Heavens! I remember those. I used to scour my dad's allotment for these things....thankfully never found one

I do read them online. You would think that the journalists working with differing editorial/political viewpoints were reporting from different planets.

I love reading a real newspaper but even with a subscription for 7 days a week plus delivery (we live very remote from shops and driving to the shop is more expensive) the cost hit £1000 per year we went to weekend only as hard copy. Got to light the woodburner somehow!!

 

[warsaw_hive]

A bit more information with photos on this page https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/about-us/beekeeping-news/asian-hornet-2024-rolling-update/ . Looks like one trap caught an Asian hornet and a European hornet. Another photo shows a kill trap with maybe a queen wasp?

 

[Nannysbees]

Asian hornets made the BBC news this evening!!

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Asian hornets made the BBC news this evening!!

I couldn't see any problems with the item (apart from perhaps the suited reporter holding a very poor frame of bees while she delivered her script).

 

[Dibbler]

I couldn't see any problems with the item (apart from perhaps the suited reporter holding a very poor frame of bees while she delivered her script).

Plus a section on Sky news. They said the AH were confined to Kent and Surrey.
They then gave a detailed description of one. Plus a good photo.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Plus a section on Sky news. They said the AH were confined to Kent and Surrey.
They then gave a detailed description of one. Plus a good photo.

Just caught the end of something on James O'Brien on LBC radio. Message getting out there.

 

[Erichalfbee]

DEFRA update 16.8.24
Following active operations in Lydden, Kent the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit (NBU) located a small Asian hornet nest in brambles on Thursday 15th of August. Destruction is planned to take place next week.
The NBU is also conducting track and trace activities in Ramsgate, Alkham and Temple Ewell in Kent and further surveillance in Hastings, East Sussex.

 

[Garry R]

DEFRA update 16.8.24
Following active operations in Lydden, Kent the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit (NBU) located a small Asian hornet nest in brambles on Thursday 15th of August. Destruction is planned to take place next week.

Why wait a week? Perhaps there is a logical good reason? Do they have to fill in a form, do a risk assessment? Who knows - just damn well destroy it!

 

[rolande]

Why wait a week? Perhaps there is a logical good reason? Do they have to fill in a form, do a risk assessment? Who knows - just damn well destroy it!

The team that located the nest isn't the team that destroys it so perhaps the destruction crew are tied up with other responsibilities.

 

[enrico]

I keep getting sent pictures of the hornet mimic hover fly. Nice to tell them not to worry though

 

[Paulypaul]

I keep getting sent pictures of the hornet mimic hover fly. Nice to tell them not to worry though

One keeps hovering outside a hive in my back garden, but I think the UFE keeps it out.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Why wait a week? Perhaps there is a logical good reason? Do they have to fill in a form, do a risk assessment? Who knows - just damn well destroy it!

You would, I would and no doubt half the beekeeping world would too.

 

[Wilco]

You would, I would and no doubt half the beekeeping world would too.

This point in the year, a week is unlikely too have a large effect.

 

[ericbeaumont]

think the UFE keeps it out.

Volucella zonaria! They never attempt to enter a hive, but just sit awhile and move on.

 

[Paulypaul]

Volucella zonaria! They never attempt to enter a hive, but just sit awhile and move on.

According to Wikipedia

"Females lay their eggs in wasp and hornet nests. The larvae live as commensals in nests of bees, hornets and of social wasps of the genus Vespula.The pupae overwinter in the soil and hatch in following spring."
Sauce: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volucella_zonaria

 

[ericbeaumont]

live as commensals in nests of bees

Never seen one attempt entry, or even go near a hive entrance, so maybe Wiki means one of the other 260-odd species of bee. Relevant to note that females lay their eggs in wasp and hornet nests.

 

[Paulypaul]

Never seen one attempt entry, or even go near a hive entrance, so maybe Wiki means one of the other 260-odd species of bee. Relevant to note that females lay their eggs in wasp and hornet nests.

Perhaps they do it at night.

 

[North End Bees]

Perhaps they do it at night.

Or in disguise..