vespa velutina nigrithorax

[chris]

VVN.png

The map is the latest I can find of the progression of vespa velutina nigrithorax (asian hornet) in its colonisation of France. It has been progressing at about 100 km. per season. The 3 isolated areas indicate where an egg laying female has obviously found some other form of transport than flying. Its installation and progression are now considered irreversible, and it will only be a matter of time before the rest of Europe is *invaded*. In France it is considered a very serious problem.
Their nest can be up to a metre high, with a diameter of 80 cm. The carapace is about 8 cm. thick. The nest can contain up to 20.000 cells.
Perhaps you still have time in Scotland to start rebuilding Hadrian's wall.

[chris]

just found this photo of a nest

nid.jpg

[gavin]

Zut alors!

We may have a secret weapon. The Sep 07 Bee Craft article (translated from one in Bulletin Technique Apicole) says that the climate in its natural range is like S Europe. We have a climate which is - unfortunately - markedly different from that.

Failing that it seems that black bees can do the hornet cooking trick of Apis cerana. Perhaps their tendency to ball queens is due to an innate defence mechanism that could prove useful should we have a warm summer or two.

On the other hand, Edinburgh has just received a couple of large sealed boxes containing some sort of hyper-expensive tourist attractions, straight from the home of the Asiatic hornet. I wonder if they checked them out for stow-aways?

G.

[Jon]

I bet the pair of them ran back up the steps of the aircraft when they heard the drone of that piper.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/co...205-1oetn.html

[GRIZZLY]

I notice reading thro' the news report that the "gift" from China only follows an annual payment of about £66000.00 per annum to the Chinese government.I also notice that Nick Clegg is quick to jump on the bandwagon and pretend that the "gift" is as a result of improved relationships between England and China.Perhaps he would like to fund the feed bill which is also considerable as a goodwill gesture to the Scots.

[Trog]

Bamboo grows very well on Mull. I wonder if I should plant more and get the pandas to help fund my beekeeping?