The Invasion of Asian or Yellow-Legged Hornets

10min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

This chapter discusses the arrival and spread of Asian or yellow-legged hornets in Europe and the UK, highlighting the threats they pose to pollinators, waste recycling, and native species. It explores their predatory behavior, nesting habits, and the negative impact on honey bee hives. The chapter also mentions the efforts of tracking and eliminating these hornets by volunteers and researchers.

Asian hornets have been spotted in the UK in record numbers this year, sparking concern about what their presence could mean for our native insects, and in particular bee populations. Madeleine Finlay speaks to ecologist Prof Juliet Osborne about why this species of hornet is so voracious, how European beekeepers have been impacted by their arrival, and how scientists and the government are attempting to prevent them from becoming established here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod