Asian hornet warning issued amid fears of bee-killing insects in Lincolnshire

The Lincolnshire Bee Keepers Association (LBKA) has expressed 'extreme concern' over the surge in Asian hornet numbers, which poses a significant threat to spread throughout the county.

These invasive predators are known for their destructive impact on honeybee colonies and other crucial pollinators.

Asian hornets are notorious for their attacks on honeybees, feeding the bees to their young A single hornet can kill 60 to 90 honey bees in a day, and a group of them can hawk' a hive, wiping out the bee population.

While they present a serious danger to native insects, Asian hornets are not particularly dangerous to humans unless disturbed, reports Lincolnshire Live.

Last summer saw the discovery of more than 70 nests, predominantly in Kent, with several found in London and two in Yorkshire. The LBKA anticipates that it's only a matter of time before the hornets make their way to Lincolnshire.

Stewart Maher, Lincolnshire's Asian hornet coordinator, said: "This is a perilous situation for honeybees and other insect life in Lincolnshire. That’s why we are calling on everyone in the county to be vigilant, be aware of and report Asian hornet sightings by taking a photo and using the Asian hornet watch app on your iPhone.

"We are now extremely concerned that they will spread throughout the UK and Lincolnshire, and if they do it’s vital to eliminate them before they can establish themselves further. You can identify an Asian hornet by its very distinct markings – yellow lower legs and a largely black body and twice the size of a common wasp."

A team of volunteers from the LBKA are planning a trip to the Channel Islands in mid-September to join forces with the Jersey Asian Hornet Action Team, who have been battling the Asian hornet for nearly a decade, to learn their combat techniques.

This year's LBKA team includes members from Sleaford, Boston, Stamford and North Lincolnshire, with another group of four set for 2025 representing Lincoln, Grantham, Horncastle and Louth, ensuring protection across the county.

Peter Verdigaal, a member of the LBKA for Boston District, expressed: "The Asian hornet is an ecological disaster. The past few years have been a ticking time bomb for bees, with climate change, intensive farming and the decrease in flora and fauna all adding up - but it is beyond devastating that we saw the numbers of Asian hornet nests increase dramatically in Britain last year."

"This is an invasive species; our bees do not have any defences against them - but we at LBKA are taking steps to protect them. We can be their defence."