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| Deadly Asian Hornet 'seen in Scotland', yet not is all as it seems | Deadly Asian Hornet 'seen in Scotland', yet not is all as it seems |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| A species of aggressive hornet not native to the UK has reportedly been spotted in Scotland – or has it? | A species of aggressive hornet not native to the UK has reportedly been spotted in Scotland – or has it? |
| Workmen in Fife were shocked to discover what they say was an insect “two to three inches long” with a 6mm-long sting “the length of a needle.” | Workmen in Fife were shocked to discover what they say was an insect “two to three inches long” with a 6mm-long sting “the length of a needle.” |
| Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) are predators originally from China, which were introduced to the south of France within a delivery of pottery in late 2004. | Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) are predators originally from China, which were introduced to the south of France within a delivery of pottery in late 2004. |
| The species has killed six people in France since its arrival, having caused an anaphylactic shock in its victims - its sting is slightly fouler solely due to its size, which is larger than a normal bee. | The species has killed six people in France since its arrival, having caused an anaphylactic shock in its victims - its sting is slightly fouler solely due to its size, which is larger than a normal bee. |
| However, it is a much larger threat to the honey bee – causing significant losses to colonies. | However, it is a much larger threat to the honey bee – causing significant losses to colonies. |
| It can grow up to 3cm and has a black/dark brown thorax. | It can grow up to 3cm and has a black/dark brown thorax. |
| Considering that Andrew Allan, 30, from East Kilbride, said he saw a hornet considerably larger than the one feared to be making its way towards the Channel, it’s more likely he saw its larger European counterpart - the “hornet” (Vespa crabro) or a Horntail. | |
| He told the Daily Record: “We were just working away, doing some stone repairs, when we saw this massive thing buzzing about. I could not believe my eyes. My mate didn’t want to take any chances so he hit it with a hammer.” | He told the Daily Record: “We were just working away, doing some stone repairs, when we saw this massive thing buzzing about. I could not believe my eyes. My mate didn’t want to take any chances so he hit it with a hammer.” |
| A spokeswoman for The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) told The Independent: “It’s very unlikely that [the Asian Hornet] would be in Scotland. | A spokeswoman for The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) told The Independent: “It’s very unlikely that [the Asian Hornet] would be in Scotland. |
| “We’d had quite a lot of reports from the public of Asian Hornets but not a single case. We’ve not had an Asian Hornet in the UK yet.” | “We’d had quite a lot of reports from the public of Asian Hornets but not a single case. We’ve not had an Asian Hornet in the UK yet.” |
| She added that alerting beekeepers to the possible arrival of Asian Hornets had led a flurry of worried homeowners getting concerned that they, too, had spotted one. | She added that alerting beekeepers to the possible arrival of Asian Hornets had led a flurry of worried homeowners getting concerned that they, too, had spotted one. |
| In addition, a deadlier species - the extremely venomous Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) – has not set foot in Europe at all, she confirmed. | In addition, a deadlier species - the extremely venomous Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) – has not set foot in Europe at all, she confirmed. |
| Since arriving in France the Asian Hornet has been “rapidly extending its range,” the British Non-Native Special Secretariat (NNSS) says. | Since arriving in France the Asian Hornet has been “rapidly extending its range,” the British Non-Native Special Secretariat (NNSS) says. |
| It is considered merely a matter of time before the species arrives in the UK, with a high possibility of introduction through cut flowers, fruit or on un-treated timber. The NNSS also said that it there is a chance it could simply fly across the Channel. | It is considered merely a matter of time before the species arrives in the UK, with a high possibility of introduction through cut flowers, fruit or on un-treated timber. The NNSS also said that it there is a chance it could simply fly across the Channel. |
| Because the invasive insect can cause widespread damage to bee colonies, bee-keeping organisations and governmental departments are still urging members of the public to report sightings of the virulent species. | Because the invasive insect can cause widespread damage to bee colonies, bee-keeping organisations and governmental departments are still urging members of the public to report sightings of the virulent species. |
| “Do not under any circumstances disturb or provoke an active hornets’ nest,” the British Beekeepers Association, says. | “Do not under any circumstances disturb or provoke an active hornets’ nest,” the British Beekeepers Association, says. |
| An April report by the Environmental Audit Committee says: “Niall Moore [from the NNSS]… told us that the Non-native Species Secretariat was helping the Environment Agency and Natural England to develop Rapid Response Plans for species, as well as contingency plans for the arrival of the Asian Hornet.” | An April report by the Environmental Audit Committee says: “Niall Moore [from the NNSS]… told us that the Non-native Species Secretariat was helping the Environment Agency and Natural England to develop Rapid Response Plans for species, as well as contingency plans for the arrival of the Asian Hornet.” |