Hornet Invasion

Are They Heading This Way???

“da da da da da da da da” I’m humming the Dambusters theme as I write – although it’s not from Germany that we can be expecting an invasion but France!

asian hornet

Made In China ...

Apparently these Chinese Hornets – or Vespa Velutina as they liked to be called – booked an excursion to France in 2004 (researchers think they arrived in a boat carrying ceramic goods) and since then have set up camp, with recent studies recording 1,100 nests across France, with established colonies near Bordeaux and spreading as far north as parts of Brittany in north-western France.

Quentin Rome, a researcher at the National History Museum in France explained “They multiply quite quickly, and they settle in a new department (administrative division) every year.”

It’s Not Who You Are It’s Who You Know ...

asian hornet nest

These Asian hornets are no more dangerous than their European cousins – however it is the size of their colonies which can make them more dangerous. They can build nests up to one metre in height where thousands of the hornets will reside – rather than the smaller nests of the European hornets which normally house a few hundred.
Never attempt to destroy one of their nests yourself as if the inhabitants feel threatened they will charge as a group – so call in the specialists.

Lets Put A Face To The Name ...
asian hornet features

Eek!

Recognisable by their orange head and yellow feet, these hornets will grow up to 3cm in length. Not only will these hornets attack you if they feel threatened, they will also attack honey bees – it’s been recorded that just a handful of Asian Hornets can destroy up to 30,000 honey bees in just a few hours. It’s also believed that these hornets will also attack other insects “Nobody can say what damage the Asian hornet has done outside of our hives. What is certain is that last autumn there were less insects than before” said Richard Legrand, a bee keeper from Bergerac.

No Need To Panic ...
Don’t Panic! Don’t Panic!

Stuart Hine, manager of Insect Information at London’s Natural History Museum said “You would expect it (hornets) to move up France slowly, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t reach the UK ... but added “The Channel is still quite a good barrier. There is no need to panic.”