UK launches app to keep this Asian ‘immigrant’ away | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

UK launches app to keep this Asian ‘immigrant’ away

Hindustan Times, London | By
Mar 30, 2017 06:51 PM IST

Reports state the Asian hornet was accidentally introduced in France in 2004 through a shipment of pottery from China, and then spread across western Europe.

A winged Asian “immigrant” has stirred such a hornet’s nest in the UK that officials on Tuesday launched a new app to prevent its spread and help ensure its eradication.

India is among the geographical distribution where the Asian hornet is known to live.(Defra)
India is among the geographical distribution where the Asian hornet is known to live.(Defra)

The cause for concern is the invasive Asian hornet, which was most recently sighted in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, in September 2016.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

India is among the geographical distribution where the Asian hornet (vespa velutina) is known to live and thrive. It is not known how it arrived in Tetbury, but there are reports it was accidentally introduced in France in 2004 through a shipment of pottery from China, and then spread across western Europe.

The department for environment, food and rural affairs and animal and plant (Defra) launched the app called Asian Hornet Watch that will enable people to quickly and easily report possible sightings of the invasive species and send pictures of suspect insects to the National Bee Unit.

While the hornets pose no greater risk to human health than a bee, Defra said they are a “threat to our native honey bees”.

Officials said there were fears the “pest” could reappear this spring, so members of the public are being urged to report any sightings quickly to again allow inspectors to intervene.

The native European hornet is considered a valued and important part of the wildlife, “and queens and nests of this species should not be destroyed”, they added.

Asian hornets can be distinguished from their native counterparts by their abdomens, which are entirely dark except for a single band of yellow – native hornets’ abdomens are predominantly yellow.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Prasun Sonwalkar was Editor (UK & Europe), Hindustan Times. During more than three decades, he held senior positions on the Desk, besides reporting from India’s north-east and other states, including a decade covering politics from New Delhi. He has been reporting from UK and Europe since 1999.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On