Britain’s bees under threat after ‘stowaway’ bee from Turkey survived 1,850 mile trip to Bristol in couple’s suitcase
BRITAIN'S bees could be under threat after a family accidentally brought a non-native specimen home in their suitcase.
The Turkish insect survived the 1,846-mile trip to Bristol in the family's suitcase - but may now put native local bees at risk.
Ashley Toy, 49, spotted an unusual petal cocoon on his conservatory sofa, having no idea it was made by a stowaway that had travelled with him from his summer break in Turkey.
After throwing the nest away, his daughter Amelia, 19, spotted a peculiar bee outside their home in Bristol the next morning.
She did some research and learnt that the type of bee, osmia avosetta, is only found in Turkey and Iran.
The family had come back from Dalaman, Turkey, a week earlier and must have accidentally brought the stinger in their suitcase.
Osmia avosetta bees, which are commonly found in the Middle East, are known for their unique nests made from flower petals.
The family contact the British Beekeepers Association which then alerted the environmental authority Defra and the National Bee Unit.
A spokesperson from the association warned the rare bee could have a "devastating effect" on British natives.
WHAT ARE OSMIA AVOSETTA BEES?
Osmia avosetta bees are a type of mason bee - which can be found in the UK.
However, this bee species is rare and is commonly found in the Middle East.
They are known for working alone - and don't use the support of other bees to protect their young.
Instead, the osmia avosetta bees are known for their unique use of flower petals to construct their nests.
Using bright coloured petals glued together with mud, the stingers dig tunnels in the ground to lure in larvae.
The bees' petal nests have been found in Iran and Turkey.
They said: "Non-native species like this bee pose several problems and need to be controlled.
"They may carry viruses that will wipe out native species or they may simply out-compete similar species for food sources."
Meanwhile, the bee is happily constructing numerous cocoons in the family's conservatory - 1,850 miles from home.
Ever since the Turkish insect found its way to Britain, the family have opened their back door every morning and watched the bee fly in and out from its nest made from their hydrangea plant.
Miss Toy said: ‘It was bringing in these petals and creating little cocoons or little petals.
"Every morning it comes in when we open the door. Then it goes in and out, in and out.
"I’ve never seen anything like it before."
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust said it was not aware of osmia avosetta ever being seen in the UK before and advised that it could be illegal to release a non-native species into the wild.
Miss Toy said: "I guess if Defra are involved it must be a pretty big deal.
"They haven’t advised me to capture it yet.
"It’s there now, flying in and out with the petals. I’m completely baffled."
The National Bee Unit has contacted the family and is working out what to do next.
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