THEY’RE BACK
Most terrifying Asian hornet warning YET is issued as deadly critter spotted in Britain weeks earlier than expected
Map reveals where the horror creatures have been spotted
THE most terrifying Asian hornet warning yet has been issued after one of the deadly critters was spotted weeks earlier than normal.
The find this month is the earliest the invasive species has been found in the UK, weeks ahead of last year's appearance.
4
4
These insects are the largest of their species in the world, and are feared because of the aggressive attacks they carry out on other hives, wiping them out in hours.
They decapitate other bees, wasps, and hornets and then use the bodies to feed their young.
The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs has confirmed a hornet was captured on March 11, after being spotted in Ash, Kent.
In 2023, the first hornet was not seen until April 11.
Read more on news
There were 57 confirmed sightings of the hornet in 2023, double the number of the previous seven years combined.
One hornet can eat 50 honey bees at a time and could devastate Britain's native bees if they were to become established here.
Diane Drinkwater, chair of the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) told : “I suspect this is a winter queen that was born here. That has not been confirmed, but that would be logical.
“Their life cycle is not advanced enough for them to have developed workers by this point. So I suspect it has not migrated from abroad, but we may have missed a nest somewhere.
Most read in The Sun
"We have seen a lot of rain so a lot of places where they hibernate might have been flooded. We always hope to see a lot of them die off.”
They have already wreaked havoc in France after their accidental introduction in 2004. They have now spread through Spain, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, and Italy.
Warning over killer Asian hornets in Britain after insects spotted in seaside town
Last July it was reported that 10 people needed medical attention after being attacked by the insects in the Channel islands.
One hornet nest can produce 350 potential queens and male hornets which can mate together, as well as up to 6,000 non-mating workers.
After the mating period, the fertilised queens will leave the nest and find somewhere to hibernate.
It is thought that Britain's winters were too harsh and enough nests, 85, had been destroyed to prevent a queen being able to winter in the UK.
4
Britain has faced a mild winter with hay fever season striking early.
Asian hornets were first spotted at Tetbury in Gloucestershire in September 2016.
There have been 102 confirmed sightings since then.
A queen was imported into France with some pottery by mistake - since then, the insects have rapidly spread into neighbouring countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
In Japan, the insects are said to kill up to 50 people in a year.
The new find was confirmed to be an Asian Hornet in a lab.
HOW TO SPOT ASIAN HORNETS
The predators are easily distinguished from other hornets as their legs are black at the top and yellow at the bottom.
Worker Asian hornets tend to reach around 25mm and queens grow to 30mm.
The Asian hornet is a day-flying species which, unlike the European hornet, ceases activity at dusk.
It nests in tall trees in urban and rural areas, and nests can also be found in sheds, garages, under decking or in holes in the wall or ground.
Disturbing a hornet’s nest can be extremely dangerous as up to 700 insects will join in an attack on any perceived threat.
Don't run. They can fly faster than you can and are intrigued by moving targets and consider running a provocation.
If people come in contact with their lethal sting, it can leave your skin swollen causing a deadly allergic reaction.
To treat a hornet sting you should:
- Wash the area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to clean the wound and reduce chance or infection
- Place an icepack or cold compress to reduce any swelling
- Elevate the affected area to reduce the chance of swelling
- Avoid scratching the area to reduce the risk of infection or irritation
4
Topics