Deadly Asian hornets are taking over the UK, new data shows.
According to government data, there has been eight sightings of the flying beasts across the country, with all of them resulting in brave experts capturing them. Most of the sightings have been in the Four Oaks area of East Sussex, which has seen five Asian Hornets nabbed.
In Kent, two have been caught in both Lympne and Ash, while one was caught in Romford, East London on March 27. The latest capture came in Four Oaks on May 13, when two of the five were captured on the same day during two different sightings.
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Asian hornets first arrived in France in 2004 and have since spread across large areas of Western Europe. They were spotted for the first time in the British Isles in Jersey and Alderney last summer. The native European hornet is a crucial part of our ecosystem, and it’s a big no-no to destroy their queens and nests.
The sightings came after experts from the Wildlife and Countryside Link have issued a warning that the risk of an invasion had been heightened due to recent flooding and rising temperatures.
Richard Benwell, WCL’s chief executive, said: “Invasive species are already one of the biggest threats to the UK environment, from smothering waterways to outcompeting native species. They also cause billions of pounds in damage a year to homes and businesses, and even pose risks to human health.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“Investment in a fully-funded inspectorate and a strong invasive species strategy could make a contribution to halting nature’s decline and creating a more resilient economy.
His warning was backed up by Dr Rob Collins, director of Policy and Science at The Rivers Trust, who highlighted how the winter weather conditions have left local trusts “struggling to keep a wave of invasive species at bay” as their efforts are thwarted by wet weather.
Dr Collins urged: “The Government must properly support local conservation groups nationwide who are working tirelessly to stop our waterways being smothered by nature invaders.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Offering some salient advice, Martin Smith, Public Affairs Manager at the British Beekeepers’ Association, told what to do if one appears: “A new app launched by Defra is a welcome addition to current reporting methods that have enabled beekeepers and members of the public to report possible sightings.
“The key to containment is catching outbreaks as early as possible and allowing fast tracking of the insects back to their nest. We will certainly be encouraging all our 25,000 beekeepers to install the app and use it if they see what might be an Asian hornet near their hives.”
Defra’s urging the public to get on the Asian Hornet Watch App to report any sightings.
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