NZ may be winning the fight against the invasive yellow-legged hornet – but a crucial phase lies ahead No new hornet nests have been found for weeks. But as the invasive species enters a key breeding phase, public vigilance could be key to eliminating the threat.

Six months on from the discovery of a yellow-legged hornet queen in Auckland there are encouraging signs New Zealand’s eradication effort is gaining ground.

theconversation.com/nz-may-be-wi...

BBKA Spring Convention this weekend Friday 17 - Sunday 19 April
On the day tickets available at the event

Harper Adams University, Shropshire

Booking & information:
www.bbka.org.uk/springconvention

BBKA Basic Assessment - application deadline 30th April
This practical evaluation covers manipulation and equipment, natural history and beekeeping, swarming, swarm control and pests and diseases.
A great way to measure your early skills

Details on Member Hub
memberhub.bbka.org.uk/login/index....

National hives are popular in the UK.
A single brood box may not be sufficient for stronger queens especially if the brood box contains a lot of honey.
Double brood is an alternative.
This does increase inspection time but can reduce swarming.

Asian hornet traps to be set near Wrexham to protect honey bees Traps are to be set for Asian hornets after the species was found in Wales earlier this year.

Traps to be set for yellow-legged Asian hornets in Wrexham area of Wales

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Honey bee swarms - What to do?
Swarming is a natural process of honey bees.
Beekeepers may be able to help collect swarms.
Please check our website to correctly identify honey bees (beekeepers are not able to remove other species or bees in buildings).
www.bbka.org.uk/Pages/Catego...

Coming to the BBKA Spring Convention?
This dedicated WhatsApps Channel will keep you posted on the event.
Link & QR code to join below:

whatsapp.com/channel/0029...

Georgians asked to report hornet nests concentrated in Chatham County Georgia officials warn of invasive yellow-legged hornets preying on bees, urging residents to report small spring nests before populations surge.

The first North American YLH was in Aug 2023. Last year it nearly doubled. The species now extends to S. Carolina & are most concentrated near Chatham County.
These 2 items explore the challenge controling their spread

eu.savannahnow.com/story/news/e...
&
www.rfdtv.com/yellow-legge...

SoCal honeybees can fend off deadly mites While commercial honeybee hives nationwide are collapsing under attack from deadly parasites, a unique hybrid bee found only in Southern California has demonstrated the ability to survive.

A new study from UC Riverside published in Scientific Reports is the first to show that a locally adapted population of honeybees can naturally and consistently suppress the mites.

www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

Distinct ecological dependencies between Deformed Wing Virus variants:
DWV-B is probably more Varroa-associated, colony-driven virus favoured by warm, stable climates, while DWV-A reflects diffuse environmental persistence.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Image © Crown copyright

Almost 13 percent of country's bee colonies lost last winter One big takeaway from the annual colony loss survey was the uptick of colonies dying from varroa mite - an external parasite that can weaken or even destroy entire colonies.

It's estimated that almost 13 percent of New Zealand's almost half a million bee colonies were lost last winter, equivalent to about 63,000 colonies.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/country...

Beekeeping is often considered to include lifelong leaning of these fascinating creatures.
Attending the BBKA Spring Convention, with its expert speakers and demonstrators, can help your understanding.
Full details of in the programme
www.bbka.org.uk/planning-you...

A new research effort is exploring how the reproductive health of honey bee queens and their mates, or drones, shape and strengthen the survival of colonies.

agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/04/09/s...

“Our research shows that treated bees experience enhanced cellular respiration, improved visual acuity and stronger immunity,” said Glen Jeffery, professor of neuroscience at UCL.

www.positive.news/environment/...

What's killing our bees – and how they fight back Mark Brown is Cambridge’s new Director of the Museum of Zoology. He’s devoted decades to understanding pollinator decline, and what we can do to save these vital species.

Professor Mark Brown looks at the reasons behind pollinator decline. The story is a complex one, where pollinators are beset by stressors: emerging diseases, pesticides, disappearing habitats and parasites.

www.cam.ac.uk/stories/what...

From flowering favourites to wildlife-friendly natives, these hedges will help bees thrive this spring.

www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/pl...

What will you be doing next weekend?
The BBKA Spring Convention is a leading 3 day event for all UK Beekeepers.
Massive trade show, 20+ lectures, 70+ workshops & seminars & not-for-profit exhibition.
All the information you need for each day & the whole weekend:
www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...

Worcester beekeeper to protect Tanzania village from elephants Rachel Monger, from Worcester, is working with people in Tanzania on the scheme to protect crops.

Worcester beekeeper to protect Tanzania village from elephants

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Like so many flying insects, these essential pollinators are suffering because of habitat loss and the overuse of chemicals. Here’s how to give them a healthier, happier home

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Welcome to the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS) | PoMS Pollinating insects play a vital role in our environment, ensuring that many of our crops and wild plants are able to set seed and produce fruit. We need to know how pollinator populations are changing, and with your help we are gathering data on a wide range of flower-visiting insects.

The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme how you give the public a chance to join in and help monitor the health of our pollinators

ukpoms.org.uk/home

North America’s bee populations are in trouble, but don’t blame the honey bees. While some people argue that an overabundance of managed honey bees...is causing native bees to disappear, the evidence doesn’t support the claim.

theconversation.com/its-ok-to-lo...

With improving weather now is the perfect opportunity to stock up on the essential kit you'll need this season.
The BBKA Spring Convention trade show is on Saturday 18th April
www.bbka.org.uk/springconven...

Emergency plan: Luxembourg offers up to €300 to remove Asian hornet nests Luxembourg is introducing financial aid of up to €300 to help residents remove Asian hornet nests, as authorities step up efforts to tackle the invasive and potentially dangerous species.

Luxembourg is introducing financial aid of up to €300 to help residents remove Asian hornet nests, as authorities step up efforts to tackle the invasive and potentially dangerous species.

today.rtl.lu/news/luxembo...

Join Winchester Beekeepers in celebrating 100 years of the fascinating world of honey bees!

www.hants.gov.uk/librariesand...

Colonies vary but strong ones need extra space.
Adding supers gives storage space which can reduce congestion.
Lack of space is a swarming trigger.
Some suggest adding two supers rather than just one especially if a local nectar flow on.

Asian hornet sightings on Sark 'earlier than ever before' Volunteers in Sark have already trapped 14 hornets, rising from four by this stage in 2025.

A Channel Islands group on Sark, tracking Asian hornets, has reported trapping 14 queens already, a record for this early in the year.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Ramsey and District Beekeeping Association [Isle of Man] is collaborating with the Art Association as part of its centenary

www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of...

The discovery highlights how social conditions and chemical signals shape bees’ ability to withstand environmental stress.

www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

Swarm Collection In summer we get many calls and questions from members of the public with bees in their houses, outbuildings and gardens but our volunteer members are only able to help in cases of swarms of honey bee...

In spring & summer beekeepers are often contacted by the public about bees.
The BBKA's website has material on identification, swarm, swarm collection & bee in buildings info on our website

www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...

BBKA Spring Convention advance bookings close today 7 April
After this tickets available at convention
Friday 17 - 19 April
Harper Adams University, Shropshire

Booking & information:
www.bbka.org.uk/springconvention