Experts warn of rising Asian hornet sightings, urge reporting via app
Experts have warned of an increase in Asian hornet sightings and are urging the public to report them using a dedicated app to help track and control the invasive species.
The Full Story
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Experts are warning the public to report sightings of Asian hornets as the number of nests recorded in the UK continues to rise. The invasive species, which preys on honeybees and other pollinators, poses a serious threat to native insect populations and beekeeping.
Last year, 163 Asian hornet nests were recorded across the country. While they remain relatively rare, sightings are becoming more frequent, particularly in the southeast, but they have now been spotted almost nationwide. The charity Buglife is urging people to be especially vigilant, as the insects are very difficult to control. A single nest can produce around 30 new queens, each capable of establishing a new nest up to 30 kilometres away, leading to rapid spread.
Asian hornets are distinguishable by their distinctive yellow legs and a single yellow ring around their waist. They are slightly smaller than European hornets. Pest control experts advise that nests start small, about the size of a golf ball, in hedgerows before moving higher into trees. Destroying a nest should only be done by a professional with proper safety equipment.
To help track the spread, the public can use the Asian Hornet Watch app to report suspected sightings. Experts say that while eradicating the species from the UK may no longer be possible, reducing their numbers remains a priority. Warmer summer weather is expected to increase the number of Asian hornets, making monitoring and reporting even more important.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| An average Asian hornet nest produces about 30 new queens that can establish nests up to 30 kilometres apart. | |
| Asian hornet nests recorded last year reached 163. | |
| One Asian hornet nest consumes 11 to 12 kilograms of insects, equivalent to two beehives. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on local impact, featuring a beekeeper from Bristol and a pest control expert. It provides practical guidance on identifying Asian hornets and their nests, and strongly promotes the use of the Asian Hornet Watch app. The tone is concerned but informative, with a personal touch from the anchor recalling a past sighting.
- “It is a voracious predator. It eats not only honeybees but every other single little bee pollinator and everything in vast quantities.”
- “We need to monitor numbers we're getting into the UK now so there's an app that anyone can download, the Asian Hornet Watch app where you can go on and report if you've seen or suspect something and they'll get back to you and probably come out and inspect it.”
Broadcast Timeline
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