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Breakthrough in fight against invasive Asian hornets Asian hornet scientists in 'breakthrough' to stop spread
(about 1 hour later)
Scientists have made a breakthrough in the fight to stop the spread of Asian hornets in the UK. Scientists say they have made a breakthrough in the fight to stop the spread of Asian hornets in the UK.
A team from the University of Exeter used electronic radio tags to track the invasive species, which kill and eat bees, to their nests. A team from the University of Exeter used electronic radio tags to track the invasive species - which kill and eat bees - to their nests.
Professor Juliet Osbourne said the new technology will help authorities find nests early, which was "vital" to stop them "colonising the UK".Professor Juliet Osbourne said the new technology will help authorities find nests early, which was "vital" to stop them "colonising the UK".
Asian hornets have been seen in Spain, France, the Channel Islands and the UK.Asian hornets have been seen in Spain, France, the Channel Islands and the UK.
Last year, the team, based at the university's Penryn campus in Cornwall, travelled to France and Jersey to conduct tests which aimed to find a quicker method of locating Asian hornet nests so they could be destroyed. Last year the team, based at the university's Penryn campus in Cornwall, travelled to France and Jersey to conduct tests which aimed to find a quicker method of locating Asian hornet nests so they could be destroyed.
Asian hornet (Vespa velutina)
Source: National Bee Unit
Dr Peter Kennedy, who led the research, said the team captured and partially froze hornets in order to place the radio tags on them with a sewing thread.Dr Peter Kennedy, who led the research, said the team captured and partially froze hornets in order to place the radio tags on them with a sewing thread.
The team were able to track the insects up to 0.8 miles (1.3km).The team were able to track the insects up to 0.8 miles (1.3km).
"Our new method of tracking offers a really important new tool to tackle the spread of this invader, providing an efficient means of finding hornets' nests in urban, rural and wooded environments," Dr Kennedy said."Our new method of tracking offers a really important new tool to tackle the spread of this invader, providing an efficient means of finding hornets' nests in urban, rural and wooded environments," Dr Kennedy said.
The team were part funded by beekeepers in the south west and the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which is "preparing for future outbreaks" of the invasive species in the UK. The team were part funded by beekeepers in the South West and the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which is "preparing for future outbreaks" of the invasive species in the UK.
Nicola Spence, Defra Deputy Director for Plant and Bee Health, said: "This work is key for ensuring a rapid response to Asian hornets when sightings are confirmed." Nicola Spence, Defra deputy director for plant and bee health, said: "This work is key for ensuring a rapid response to Asian hornets when sightings are confirmed."
Over the last decade Asian hornets have spread across western Europe. In 2012 two nests were detected in northern Spain, but scientists say in 2016 this had spread to more than 10,000. Over the past decade Asian hornets have spread across western Europe. In 2012 two nests were detected in northern Spain, but scientists say in 2016 this had spread to more than 10,000.
The species was first seen in Britain in Gloucestershire in 2016, but there were further sightings in Woolacombe, Devon, last year.The species was first seen in Britain in Gloucestershire in 2016, but there were further sightings in Woolacombe, Devon, last year.
In April, a single hornet was found in Lancashire.In April, a single hornet was found in Lancashire.
They have also been spotted in Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands. They have also been spotted in Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark in the Channel Islands.
Identifying an Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) Studying Asian hornet nests
Source: National Bee Unit John de Carteret, a former forensic photographer from Jersey, has been filming Asian hornet queens building nests around the island.
He is part of the Jersey Beekeeper's Association, which has been tracking Asian hornets down by hand.
Scientists from Spain, England and Scotland have been viewing Mr de Carteret's footage and say it gives a rare insight into the development of an Asian hornet nest.