Warning issued as Asian hornets and mites threaten Scotland's honey bee colonies

Members of the public are being urged to notify experts if they think they see a non-native hornet species.

Yellow-legged Asian hornets are a non-native invasive species which are aggressive predators of several insects, including honey bees and other pollinators.

Plans for dealing with the species – which are native to Northern India, China, the Indo-Chinese peninsula and the Indonesian archipelago – have been included in the first annual report of the Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP).

There has been no confirmed sightings of the Asian hornet in Scotland so far this year, but last year saw a “significant increase” in England, including as far north as Yorkshire.

The report also showed positive steps in tracking cases of Varroa mites which pose the biggest threat to honey bee colonies in Scotland.

A map showing the spread of the parasite, and highlighting areas where there has been no reporting but where particular care is needed – such as on the islands of Colonsay and Oronsay which are nature reserves for European dark bees – has been created.

Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said: “I am delighted to see the progress made by the Bee Health Improvement Partnership to help deliver our second ten-year Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Strategy.

“By developing a Contingency Plan to address any Asian hornet incursion in Scotland, we are well prepared to tackle and eradicate the insect before it has an opportunity to establish.

“We cannot underestimate the devastating impact this non-native predator has on honey bees and other insects, including important pollinators, and I urge people to be aware of what to look for and report any potential sightings.”

Members of the public can report suspect sightings of Asian hornets to the Great British Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS), which has responsibility for helping to coordinate the approach to invasive non-native species in Great Britain. Sightings should be reported through the free Asian Hornet Watch App, available for Android and iPhone.