Extremely large Hornet

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by eucera

Hornets are not a protected species - in fact no bee or wasp species is protected by law in this country.

The species is quite plentiful within its range (see BWARS Home Page for a map), but secretive. They are generally docile. The insects they prey on are for feeding the developing brood. The adults are nectar/sap feeders

I think you are wrong there, as far as i am aware Hornets are protected, i agree with the rest, will find out .

BK

[charlieb]

The Hornet doesn't feature in the the JNCC's list (2008) of conservation designations (including Red Lists, Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Lists, species listed on European Directives, species listed on the Schedules of the Wildlife & Countryside Act, rare and scarce species).

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

I think you are wrong there, as far as i am aware Hornets are protected, i agree with the rest, will find out .

BK

Sorry but I would agree with eucera, who is an expert in Hymenoptera.

They are protected in Germany with a very steep fine if anyone kills one or destroys a nest. The form we have in Britian is different, Vespa crabro vexator.

Hornets-Gentle Giants!

[Jason Green]

I don't think they are protected, and Stuart (Eucera) I believe works with the Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Scheme, BWARS, says they aren't...

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

I placed a chair near to the hives and as they pounced on tired bees retuning from foraging i shot them with my air rifle, after i reduced their numbers by nearly 100 in three days i left the rest alone as i didnt want to destroy all the workers and leave their young to starve.

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

I think you are wrong there, as far as i am aware Hornets are protected, i agree with the rest, will find out .

BK

If you thought they were a protected species, surely by shooting 100 dead you'd have broken the law without seeking a permit/licence ??

[eucera]

Thank you for your comments! I am involved with advisory process to the conservation agencies on additions and subtractions of aculeates from the various schedules of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, the updating of the BAP lists and I am one of the 2 co-authors working on the new Red List for aculeates in Britain. The BWARS maps in their Atlas, were drawn on my computer. Consequently, I am familiar with the status of British aculeates generally.

I can confirm that the Hornet does not carry a threat status (in the current RDB or the 1991 Review), is not BAP listed, and is not protected by law (as Charlieb has already pointed out). I try to be very careful about the comments I make on statuses, and I really wouldn't have put something in here if I hadn't checked it thoroughly and knew I was on rock-solid ground

[Gerel]

Apologies for going somewhat off topic, but what is the distribution limit of hornets? I've not seen one since I lived in Gloucestershire, am I now too far west in mid-Wales?

[eucera]

I'd suggest consulting the maps on the NBN Gateway, either via their own portal or through the maps pages of the BWARS website (BWARS Home Page)

[diggleken]

slightly off track - I remember finding Lunar Hornet Moth on a Poplar (host species if I remember right) and thinking oh my gawd - then I found out what it was and still thought itwas fabby.
When the tree died it was chopped down and the trunk was of course riddled with holes.
Very interesting life cycle - takes years I gather to adulthood from all that darkness, shame.
Cheers
Ken

[Beekeeper]

eucera, thank you for putting me right on that point and for the other folk for saying the same.

I had a good friend who was a Prof. of Entimology and some years ago he assured me that Hornets were a protected species, he used to study them as he had set up observation nests at his home for that purpose, sadly he died quite a while ago now, maybe the protection status was lifted or perhaps he got it wrong, he was one of those people that had a great deal of respect in the insect world especially beekeeping and if he said something you would generally not query it as he did know what he was talking about.

You obviously have far more knowledge than me on the subject so i cannot argue with you.

Regards

BK

Originally Posted by eucera

Thank you for your comments! I am involved with advisory process to the conservation agencies on additions and subtractions of aculeates from the various schedules of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, the updating of the BAP lists and I am one of the 2 co-authors working on the new Red List for aculeates in Britain. The BWARS maps in their Atlas, were drawn on my computer. Consequently, I am familiar with the status of British aculeates generally.

I can confirm that the Hornet does not carry a threat status (in the current RDB or the 1991 Review), is not BAP listed, and is not protected by law (as Charlieb has already pointed out). I try to be very careful about the comments I make on statuses, and I really wouldn't have put something in here if I hadn't checked it thoroughly and knew I was on rock-solid ground

[monkeypoo]

I bet the jaws of hornets would hurt more than the sting.