Scottish Beekeepers' Association Supporting Scotland's Bees and Beekeepers |
The following release has been issued by the Scottish Government's Honey Bee Health Team.
Members of the public are being urged to notify experts if they think they see a non-native hornet species.
Yellow-legged Asian hornets (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) are a non-native invasive species which are aggressive predators of several species, including honey bees and other pollinators.
Plans for dealing with sightings of the hornet – native to Northern India, China, the Indo-Chinese peninsula and the Indonesian archipelago – are included in the first annual report of the Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP).
The Report also showed positive steps in tracking cases of Varroa mites which pose the biggest threat to honey bee colonies in Scotland.
A map showing the spread of the parasite, and highlighting areas where the mite has not been reported, such as the islands of Colonsay and Oronsay, which are nature reserves for Apis mellifera mellifera (Amm, Black Bee), was shared with beekeepers across the country to highlight where particular care is needed in order to prevent spread of the parasite into these areas.
Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said:
“I am delighted to see the progress made by the Bee Health Improvement Partnership to help deliver our second 10-year Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Strategy.
“By developing a Contingency Plan to address any Asian hornet incursion in Scotland, we are well prepared to tackle and eradicate the insect before it has an opportunity to establish. We cannot underestimate the devastating impact this non-native predator has on honey bees and other insects, including important pollinators, and I urge people to be aware of what to look for and report any potential sightings.”
Background
While there has been no confirmed Asian hornet sighting in Scotland, last year saw a significant increase in England, including as far north as Yorkshire.
The Asian Hornet Contingency Plan will ensure that any incursion is dealt with swiftly by Scottish Government Honey Bee Inspectors who would confirm the sighting and then take steps to find, destroy and remove nests.
Members of the public can report suspect sightings of Asian hornets to the Great British Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS), which has responsibility for helping to coordinate the approach to invasive non-native species in Great Britain. Sightings should be reported through the free Asian Hornet Watch App, available for Android and iPhone.
Other methods of reporting the hornet also include using the NNSS online notification form or emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk with the location of the sighting and a description of the insect seen and a photograph if it is safe to take.
Scottish Beekeepers’ Association
April Webinar
Wednesday 3rd April at 7.30pm
Food Safety for Beekeepers Panel
with Andy Pedley
For our final webinar of this winter series, we’re delighted to host a Food Safety panel session on Wednesday the 3rd of April from 7.30pm with Andy Pedley. Andy was an Environmental Health Officer for 46 years and has been a beekeeper for over 30 years.
In this informative panel, Andy will be discussing the importance of knowledge of Food Safety processes for beekeepers and providing advice on practical actions. We welcome questions from attendees, so if you would like to pose a question to Andy, please email this before the 3rd of April to Gino Jabbar at
webinars@scottishbeekeepers.org.uk
To book your free place please visit
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2275844364207593821
Scottish Beekeepers’ Association
March Webinar
Wednesday 6th March at 7.30pm
Honey and Bees of South Africa
with Natasha Lyon & Mike Allsopp
On Wednesday the 6th of March, we are delighted to be hosting Natasha Lyon and Mike Allsopp, who will be taking us on a trip to South Africa.
This will be an evening on all things South African beekeeping: Natasha Lyon is a South African honey expert, and Mike Allsopp is a bee scientist at the Agricultural Research Council and an expert in Apis M. Capensis.
They will discuss the bees of South Africa, including Apis M. Capensis and Apis M. Scutellata, the diverse flora of South Africa, their beekeeping year, and the honey varieties enjoyed.
To find out more about this subject and to book your free place please visit
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6800467752859637086
Scottish Beekeepers’ Association
February Webinar
Wednesday 7th February at 7.30pm
Bees and Fungi
with Dr Nicholas Naeger
February it’s all about fungi, when we welcome Dr Nicholas Naeger at 7.30pm on Wednesday the 7th of February.
In this illuminating talk, Dr Naeger will discuss the interaction between bees, fungi, and their pathogens. He will then discuss his research at Washington State University into bee immune health, the potential nutritional benefits of fungi, and possible therapeutic uses of fungi against bee pathogens.
To find out more about this subject and to book your free place please visit the webinars page of our website.
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/787226565450586974