The Asian hornet has only been present in western Europe for less than two decades, but this native of south-east Asia is already causing concern as a serious threat to honeybees. It is a generalist insect hunter but has a tendency to devastate colonies or apiaries and, as such, is a significant threat to these pollinators so vital to the environment. As a result there is alarm among conservationists because of the effect on natural biodiversity. Others who are heavily reliant on the activities of honeybees, such as beekeepers and fruit farmers, are equally worried.
Once a honeybee colony is located,
