The species poses a deadly threat to honey bees, master beekeeper Lynne Ingram tells the BBC.

Invasive Asian hornets have survived a UK winter for the first time, DNA analysis has confirmed, suggesting that they could make the UK one of their permanent homes.

The species poses a deadly threat to honey bees and could have a “concerning” impact on native pollinators and biodiversity were they to stay, master beekeeper Lynne Ingram told the BBC.

The insects, which can eat up to 50 bees a day, had previously flown into the UK from France in the warmer months.

“The DNA analysis has now proved they are overwintering - they could get really established here,” Ms Ingram said.

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    1•6 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    Invasive Asian hornets have survived a UK winter for the first time, DNA analysis has confirmed, suggesting that they could make the UK one of their permanent homes.The species poses a deadly threat to honey bees and could have a “concerning” impact on native pollinators and biodiversity were they to stay, master beekeeper Lynne Ingram told the BBC.The insects, which can eat up to 50 bees a day, had previously flown into the UK from France in the warmer months.

    “We know that some of the nests we found last year, the queens had already been produced,” said Ms Ingram, who is the Asian hornet teams coordinator for Somerset Beekeepers Association.

    “And they leave the nests and go into hibernation for the winter, and they’re very difficult to find,” Ms Ingram added.Asian hornets are native to Southeast Asia but can be transported around the world in cargo.

    They are widespread in mainland Europe and France is estimated to be home to as many as 500,000 nests, according to the British Bee Keepers Association.

    The hornet was found for the first time in the UK in September 2016.Last year the National Bee Unit, an arm of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), said it destroyed 72 nests in 56 locations, most of which were in Kent.

    “There is a high risk of this species becoming established in the UK, and it will take intensive effort to limit the speed of spread,” the unit said.Defra has said it "continues to stand ready to respond quickly and effectively to any further possible sightings”.Nests and sightings of the insects have been found in locations including Canterbury, Rye, Folkestone Sandwich and Four Oaks.

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