Many of us are aware of the threat to our bees and to all our other pollinating insects from the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina). At this time of year, over-wintering queens may be coming out of hibernation and as part of a county-wide initiative to raise awareness of the problem, we are asking beekeepers and the general public throughout the country to help by setting up bait stations and to spread the word.

Please help to prevent this invasive non-native insect becoming established in the UK.

The first Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) of the year was found on Sunday 2 February 2020 (first confirmed sighting in 2019 was 6 February) by a member of the public in St Brelade, Jersey after being disturbed from hibernation. The insect was reported with a photograph which confirmed the sighting.

On Saturday 25 January 2020, approximately 150 beekeepers from across the South West of England met in Bridgewater, Somerset for the first Asian Hornet Convention and Training Day. The event was organised by the Somerset Beekeepers' Association on behalf of the South West Beekeepers' Forum, providing an opportunity for Asian Hornet Action Teams and beekeepers interested in finding out more about Asian hornets to come together for a practical training day and hear about current research.

​Our news in the UK has been dominated by Brexit. Whether we remain or leave, it makes no difference to the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax). With 17 confirmed sightings in England since 2016, we must stay vigilant. If the Asian hornet gets a foothold in Britain, we will join other countries in Europe that are suffering economic losses - that's a fact. In a 43 page report published by the European Commission in September 2019, Invasive Alien Species represent a major threat to biodiversity in Europe and worldwide and can cause significant damages to the ecology, economy and livelihood of countries affected.