A report from Dorset Council draws attention to an unwelcome invader, the Asian Hornet, which will eat all kinds of pollinators, but their favourite food is honeybees. They also have a very nasty sting.
The Asian Hornet is about the size of a wasp. They are dark black/brown with an orange band on the fourth segment of their abdomen, they have yellow legs and an orange face, their wings are slightly longer than their body.
The queens will come out of hibernation in the next two months and start laying eggs in nests which can be found in towns and the countryside.
Sightings of the Asian hornet should be reported to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk with details of the location and a photo of the insect. A seasonal bee inspector will be out at once to verify the sighting and call in a team to eradicate the nest.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:
“Invasive species have the potential to cause huge problems for our native species and the Asian hornet is one where we can potentially stop it in its tracks if we are vigilant.
“Dorset Council is committed to doing everything we can to protect our native pollinators, in line with our Pollinator Action Plan, and urges members of the public to report sightings of Asian hornet.”
