BBKA Forum

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/why-asian ... -bees.html

Why Asian hornets are bad news for British bees
Dr Gavin Broad, a wasp expert at the Museum, explains why British beekeepers are concerned about the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), a species that first arrived in Britain in 2016.

A good summary of the AH and other closely linked insects, now it needs to be introduced Nationwide in a larger awareness campaign to the wider public rather then just a fleeting news article here and there.

Most of the general publc I mention it to have no idea of what I'm going on about and some are well educated. Most awareness is confined to the niche communties it is likely to affect or have a keen eye on nature.
I even spoke to a tree surgeon and he had no idea, I did point out the dangers to him if he ever comes across an active nest in his work.

Not only Tree Surgeons but almost all of the Pest Control operatives I have spoken to are either unaware or have minimal knowledge of how they are going to have to respond to AH if it finally becomes established!

I saw a talk by Prof Steve Martin a couple of years back about some research he did when it arrived in South Korea, Basically it moved and then killed everything insect related. It is a ferocious predator.

I think this might be the paper from 2012 here if any one wants to read it.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229087735_Distribution_spread_and_impact_of_the_invasive_hornet_Vespa_velutina_in_South_Korea