Can you spot the difference to help defend our bees?

Beekeepers from across the region, including Lichfield, Burntwood, Rugeley, Cannock, Stafford, and Wolverhampton, are stepping up their offensive against the non-native invasive predator, which has sadly reached our shores, to help keep its threat under control.

Sporting T-shirts bearing the message “Can you spot the difference”, they will spend the awareness week highlighting the key differences between the non-native Asian ‘yellow-legged’ Hornet and our native European Hornet.

Alongside visuals of the two hornets, the T-shirts will also display QR codes for the free “Asian Hornet Watch” App which could be our best defence against the Asian Hornet predator.

Why are beekeepers so worried about the Asian Hornet?

Paul Twibill, of Tettenhall, who is the President of the South Staffordshire and District Beekeepers Association, said: “Our bees are facing a serious threat, and we need everyone’s help to protect them.

“We have learnt from other areas that early reporting is the key to controlling this potentially devastating threat to our pollinators, particularly our honeybees. Reporting of sightings enables nests to be found and destroyed.

“By learning to spot the difference between the yellow legged Asian Hornet and our native European Hornet, and downloading the free app, you will be playing a crucial role in defending our bees, and supporting the vital pollination work they do.”

The Asian Hornet’s body is mostly black with an orange stripe and its legs are yellow on the ends as though they’ve been dipped in yellow paint. Our native European Hornet’s body is predominantly yellow with thin black stripes.

The Asian Hornet is also known to deliver ferocious and sustained attacks on anyone who disturbs their nest, which could potentially include dog walkers and children – and, like a wasp, it can deliver multiple stings, which on rare occasions have been fatal.

You can download the Asian Hornet App in Apple’s App store or on Google Play.

With huge thanks to Lichfield’s Lee Gwinnett at White Lodge Group and his team for printing the charity’s T-shirts.

For more on the Asian Hornet and how you can help protect our countryside’s pollinators please visit southstaffsbeekeepers.com/ where you can also find more out about the charity itself.

By Justine Halifax - Contributor