British beekeepers are urging the government to launch a national awareness campaign after warning that the invasive Asian hornet is turning parts of the countryside into “pollinator deserts.” The yellow‑legged hornet, native to southeast Asia, first appeared in Europe in 2004 and has since expanded its range, helped along by milder springs and hotter summers. Experts say the hornet’s predation on bees and other pollinators could undermine crop yields and threaten food security across the UK. The growing concern highlights the need for coordinated monitoring, rapid response measures and public education to curb the spread of this aggressive species.
Experts say invasive species are creating ‘pollinator deserts’ and could have serious impact on food securityBritish beekeepers have called for a national awareness campaign about the impact of Asian hornets as they warned the invasive species was creating “pollinator deserts” and threatening food security.Native to south-east Asia, the yellow-legged hornet is thought to have arrived in Europe in 2004 and has continued to spread ever since, its numbers probably boosted by increasingly warm springs and summers. Continue reading...
