How are your Hornets!

[Alan]

Just checked a Hornets nest in my area, and despite the recent cold weather they're still foraging. They were rather lethargic and trying to warm-up in the weak sun though. So think it wont be long before the colony dies - especially with frosts forecast.

Has anyone else noticed any Hornets still about in their area?

Alan

[chunkychambers]

Originally Posted by Alan

Just checked a Hornets nest in my area, and despite the recent cold weather they're still foraging. They were rather lethargic and trying to warm-up in the weak sun though. So think it wont be long before the colony dies - especially with frosts forecast.

Has anyone else noticed any Hornets still about in their area?

Alan

More to the point....How's your forehead Hornet man???

[Deer Stalker]

Yeh Allan, hope it healed OK. Saw one lone Hornet last week.

[jennyb]

Have not seen a hornet in weeks after a bumper year, but we really have had some severe frosts here. Did see another Red Admiral today, though.

Jenny

[Jonny]

Hi Alan....Two known hornets nests at the reserve, both still active, but slowing down quite a bit. Will check em again this weekend mate....

[honeybee]

Have you ever seen a queen hornet Alan? My mum saw 2 about a month ago, she said they were so big they could hardly take off!
Got a wasp nest in roof and the waps are less active now, there's a few cold, tired ones sitting about.

[Alan]

Seems they're more commoner than wasps in some areas this year.

Honeybee - No I haven't seen a queen yet. Workers are big enough as it is, so would be interesting to see one!

Have posted on the BWARS Forum asking about info too. Will be interesting to see what replies I may get.

Alan

ps: Cheers guys, my head's ok thanks!

[Jonny]

Hi Alun.....Hornets seem to have all gone now, stood looking for quite a while, but didn't see any. The honey bee's were still quite active though, in and out of the wild cherry tree....

[Alan]

After a couple of checks this week the Hornet nest is still going strong, albeit with limited numbers now foraging.

Jonny – someone from near your neck of the woods (East Sussex) commented on the BWARS forum that Hornets seemed to move into his area about five years ago. After some checks he found they were the British race (Vespa crabro ssp. vexator).

One idea that he put forward was that it *may* mean that it’s not the mainland European form (Vespa crabro ssp. germana) that’s spreading North into Britain and boosting numbers, but the British form that is becoming commoner. This is all pure conjecture mind, but an interesting idea none the less.

By the way, apparently the Mainland European form lacks the yellow head and reddish-brown stripe on the second gastral tergite (front of abdomen), which the English race has. So keep your eye out just in case (next year!)..

Alan

[Susie]

I haven't seen any around for about a fortnight now. There are quite a few big fat bumbles tho.