Asian Hornets survive UK winter for first time, DNA testing shows

DNA analysis has recently confirmed that invasive Asian hornets managed to survive the winter in the UK for the first time. This discovery indicates that these hornets may have the potential to establish their new home permanently in the UK.

According to beekeeping expert Lynne Ingram, this type of creature is a major danger to honey bees and could cause serious harm to local pollinators and the environment if they remain in the area. This situation is worrying and requires attention.

The bugs, capable of devouring up to 50 bees within 24 hours, have previously migrated to the UK from France during the hotter season.

According to Ms. Ingram, the DNA investigation has provided conclusive evidence that they are surviving through the winter season, implying that they have the potential to firmly establish themselves in this region.

Hornets caught in traps set up by the National Bee Unit in the Kent region's Four Oaks had their DNA sampled, which revealed that they originated from a colony that was destroyed near Rye in November 2023.

One hornet colony has the capacity to create 350 queen hornets.

About 90% of these won't last through the winter, but any queen that manages to do so can begin a whole new colony.

The association responsible for keeping bees in Great Britain is currently searching for additional hives prior to the creation of new queen bees.

Ms Ingram, who serves as the coordinator for the Asian hornet teams for Somerset Beekeepers Association, has confirmed that some of the nests discovered last year had already been home to queens.

According to Ms. Ingram, during winter, the animals abandon their nests and opt for hibernation. As a result, locating them becomes incredibly challenging.

The Asian hornet has its origins in Southeast Asia, but it can be carried to different parts of the world through cargo shipments.

According to the British Bee Keepers Association, there are a large number of these creatures in mainland Europe and it is believed that there are around 500,000 nests in France.

Similar to European hornets, Asian hornets have the ability to inflict a painful sting, however, they do not pose a significant threat to human well-being.

Nonetheless, they pose a lethal threat to honey bees and other essential indigenous pollinating creatures.

These creatures have the ability to eat as much as 11 kilograms of bugs annually, with the capability to devour up to 50 bees daily.

According to Ms. Ingram, an Asian hornet considers a honey bee hive as a convenient store where they can easily hang out outside and wait.

The association that represents British bee keepers is encouraging people to use the Asian Hornet Watch application to report sightings of the invasive Asian hornet.

The insect is a bit tinier than its matching version in Europe, and it can be identified by the orange stripe positioned at the foundation of its abdomen and its remarkable yellow legs.

You can find details on how to recognize an Asian hornet right here.

Detecting an Asian hornet and taking appropriate actions after being stung If you're concerned about the presence of an Asian hornet, let's take a look at how to identify it. The Asian hornet is a type of insect that is mostly brown or black in color and has a yellow or orange strip on its abdomen. Moreover, it has a distinct mandible, which is large and orange-colored. In case you get stung by an Asian hornet, keep calm and ensure not to panic. Use soap and water to clean the bitten area, and avoid scratching it to hinder infection. Consider taking paracetamol or another painkiller to alleviate the pain. If you experience an allergic reaction or severe symptoms such as swelling of the throat or difficulty breathing, seek medical assistance immediately.

In September of the year 2016, the hornet was discovered in the United Kingdom for the very first time.

In the previous year, the National Bee Unit, which is a part of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), declared that it demolished 72 nests in 56 spots. The major number of nests were located in Kent.

The unit stated that there is a great danger that this particular species will thrive in the United Kingdom, and significant exertion will be required to slow down its expansion.

Defra stated that they are prepared to respond promptly and efficiently if there are any additional sightings.

The bugs' nests and appearances have been discovered in various places such as Canterbury, Rye, Folkestone, Sandwich, and Four Oaks.