The Buzz

In this section you will the very latest links to topical Bee matters that our Membership secretary gets sent and which he harvests via Google Alerts

Earliest-ever sighting of Asian hornet in UK confirmed

28-Mar-25 – Manchester Evening News

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/earliest-ever-sighting-asian-hornet-31305947

Government launches first action plan on pesticides in a decade

21-Mar-25 – Wire-gov

https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/print/Nature+boost+Government+launches+first+action+plan+on+pesticides+in+a+decade+21032025162900

Brilliant ways you can use these 3 non-toxic beeswax products for a healthier home without micro-plastics

19-Mar-25 – Homes and Gardens

https://www.homesandgardens.com/solved/beeswax-products

Asian Hornet Seen in Upper Nitra Area (Slovakia)

17-Mar-25 – tasr.sk

https://www.tasr.sk/tasr-clanok/TASR:2025031700000458

Wild about Gardens campaign asks us all to become hoverfly heroes

12-Mar-25 – The Wildlife Trusts

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/wild-about-gardens-campaign-asks-us-all-become-hoverfly-heroes

Fast and Agile Robotic Insects Could Transform Crop Pollination

07-Mar-25 – ElectroPages

https://www.electropages.com/blog/2025/03/could-these-robotics-bees-be-future-agriculture

The French (UNAF) welcomes the unanimous adoption of the proposed law aimed at combating the Asian hornet.

06-Mar-25 – UNAF

https://www.unaf-apiculture.info/actualites/adoption-a-l-unanimite-de-la-loi-contre-le-frelon-asiatique-une-avancee.html

Asian hornet guts contain more than 1,400 different species, new study finds

04-Mar-25 – Discover Wildlife

https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/asian-hornet-guts-1449-species

Invasive Asian hornets ‘preying on’ hundreds of native insect species in Europe

04-Mar-25 – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/04/invasive-asian-hornets-eating-hundreds-of-insect-species-in-europe

Warning of ‘extra threat’ from Asian hornets after UK sightings

04-Mar-25 – The Independent
https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/asian-hornet-bees-uk-warning-b2708658.html

A 'sticky' problem facing beekeepers: How the UK is in the midst of counterfeit honey crisis

01-Mar-25 – Country Living

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/countryside/a63954274/problem-facing-uk-beekeepers/

Dordogne resident claims to catch 1,300 Asian hornets in a day using this technique

27-Feb-25 – The Connexion

https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/dordogne-resident-claims-to-catch-1300-asian-hornets-in-a-day-using-this-technique/709746

Organic egg farm adopts bioacoustic technology to monitor bees

25-Feb-25 – FarmingUK

https://www.farminguk.com/news/organic-egg-farm-adopts-bioacoustic-technology-to-monitor-bees_66170.html

Now is the time for many to install Asian hornet traps in France

21-Feb-25 – Connexion France

https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/now-is-the-time-for-many-to-install-asian-hornet-traps-in-france/708615

Is honey actually good for you?

17-Feb-25 – The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/diet/nutrition/is-honey-good-for-you/

How one of the biggest threats to British honeybees could be eradicated thanks to scientific breakthrough

16-Feb-25 – The Mail Online

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14403589/Threat-British-honeybees-eradicated-scientific-breakthrough.html

The weapon that could help British honeybees fight off pesky foe

16-Feb-25 – The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/16/rna-weapon-help-british-honeybees-fight-varroa-mite/

‘Perfect pesticide’ spares bees by targeting gene in parasites

16-Feb-25 – The Times

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/perfect-pesticide-spares-bees-by-targeting-gene-in-parasites-59hbkh0g2

Beekeeping Industry Faces Crisis as Unprecedented Bee Die Off Threatens Agriculture

11-Feb-25 – IT News Online

https://www.itnewsonline.com/PRNewswire/Beekeeping-Industry-Faces-Crisis-as-Unprecedented-Bee-Die-Off-Threatens-Agriculture/1038353

UK conservation goals insufficient to save ants and bees, says expert

08-Feb-25 – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/08/uk-conservation-goals-insufficient-ants-bees

'Urgent need' for crop protection research after Cruiser SB rejected

04-Feb-25 – FarmingUK

https://www.farminguk.com/news/-urgent-need-for-crop-protection-research-after-cruiser-sb-rejected_66056.html

A large-scale study of Varroa destructor treatment adherence in apiculture

03-Feb-25 – Enterologia Generalis

https://www.schweizerbart.de/papers/entomologia/detail/prepub/106352/A_large_scale_study_of_Varroa_destructor_treatment

Somerset business selling new products in Harrods stores

03-Feb-25 – Somerset Couny Gazette
https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/24904950.somerset-business-selling-new-products-harrods-stores/

Asian hornet population in Switzerland triples in a year, new data suggests

30-Jan-25 – IamExPat

https://www.iamexpat.ch/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/asian-hornet-population-switzerland-triples-year-new-data-suggests

Bees are less likely to sting when in a pair, scientists say

29-Jan-25 – Daily Mail

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14335915/Bees-likely-sting-pair-scientists-say.html

The Confederation should now combat the Asian hornet

27-Jan-25 – Blue News (Swiss)

https://www.bluewin.ch/en/news/switzerland/the-confederation-should-now-combat-the-asian-hornet-2536584.html

The fight to save the native Welsh honeybee

26-Jan-25 – Nation Cymru

Coverage of pesticide emergency authorisation being denied to protect pollinators

24-Jan-25 – DEFRA

UK Government outlines complete ban on insect-killing pesticides

20-Jan-25 – BirdGuides

https://www.birdguides.com/news/uk-government-outlines-complete-ban-on-insect-killing-pesticides/

Brighton MP Siân Berry leads push for national pesticide ban

14-Jan-25 – The Argus

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24848511.brighton-mp-sian-berry-leads-push-national-pesticide-ban/

Asian hornet nests dissected to monitor species

06-Jan-25 – BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4zkdl2570o

Meghan Markle Tackles Kate Middleton's Buzzy Hobby

03-Jan-25 – People

https://people.com/meghan-markle-tackles-kate-middleton-buzzy-hobby-makes-pinterest-style-ladybugs-new-show-8768817

NFU Sugar raises concerns over Defra's complete neonic ban

30-Dec-24 – FarmingUK

https://www.farminguk.com/news/nfu-sugar-raises-concerns-over-defra-s-complete-neonic-ban_65870.html

What does it take to clear an Asian hornets' nest?

29-Dec-24 – BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74x82lvgrvo

Wildlife faces ‘blurring seasons’ as 2024’s weather brings mixed fortunes

27-Dec-24 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/the-national-trust-wildlife-warwickshire-wiltshire-great-britain-b2670372.html

Can beehives help humans and elephants co-exist? A simple nature-based solution is keeping the peace

25-Dec-24 – Euro News

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/12/25/can-beehives-help-humans-and-elephants-co-exist-a-simple-nature-based-solution-is-keeping-

Complete ban on bee killing pesticides moves forward

21-Dec-24 – The Government

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-bee-killing-pesticides-moves-forward

Government outlines plans to end use of bee-killing pesticides

21-Dec-24 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/labour-government-office-for-environmental-protection-england-defra-b2668237.html

Don’t be fooled by the media: the ‘Asian’ hornet has NOT been eradicated in the UK

20-Dec-24 – The Canary

https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2024/12/20/yellow-legged-asian-hornets/#google_vignette

Good news for bees as yellow-legged hornets kept away from UK

13-Dec-24 – BBC News

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c70863w2pzno

Jersey 'essential' in stopping spread of hornets

13-Dec-24 – BBC News

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy7kg3x2dxgo

Study shows action to eradicate pollinator predator yellow-legged (Asian) hornets in UK has been effective

09-Dec-24 – Phys.org

https://phys.org/news/2024-12-action-eradicate-pollinator-predator-yellow.html

UK exported thousands of tonnes of banned pesticides in 2023, probe reveals

08-Dec-24 – Express and Star

https://www.expressandstar.com/uk-news/2024/12/08/uk-exported-thousands-of-tonnes-of-banned-pesticides-in-2023-probe-reveals/

Hunt for underground nest after 'murder hornets' seen in Europe for first time

05-Dec-24 – Sky News

https://news.sky.com/story/hunt-for-underground-nest-after-murder-hornets-seen-in-europe-for-first-time-13267628

The useful service life of Asian hornet baits is extended if stored cold and with CO2

05-Dec-24 – campusa

https://www.ehu.eus/en/web/campusa-magazine/-/the-useful-service-life-of-asian-hornet-baits-is-extended-if-stored-cold-and-with-co2

Why honey isn’t vegan – and what you can eat instead

04-Dec-24 – WomensHealthMag

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/food/healthy-eating/a63082498/is-honey-vegan/

Bee killing pesticides polluting the vast majority of English rivers

04-Dec-24 – Envirotec

Bristol man fined for damaging habitat of Britain's rarest bee

03-Dec-24 – Bristol Live

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-man-fined-damaging-habitat-9762698

Bee-killing pesticides found in West Midlands rivers as activists call for change

02-Dec-24 – Express and Star

https://www.expressandstar.com/uk-news/2024/12/02/bee-killing-pesticides-found-in-85-of-english-rivers-analysis/

Propolis extract can support immune health and reduce upper respiratory symptoms, study finds

27-Nov-24 – Neutraceutical

https://nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com/fytexia-promunel-propolis-extract-supports-immune-health-and-respiratory-system

Inside the lab fighting an Asian hornet invasion

19-Nov-24 – BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2lk3gppj7o

Update on yellow-legged (Asian) hornet

15-Nov-24 – NonNativeSpecies

https://www.nonnativespecies.org/about/news/update-on-yellow-legged-asian-hornet-2/#

Jennifer Garner's beekeeping hobby is the garden trend that will dominate in 2025

14-Nov-24 – Homes & Gardens

https://www.homesandgardens.com/celebrity-style/jennifer-garner-beekeeping-hobby

Moyarget’s youngest entrepreneur beekeeper starts own honey brand

12-Nov-24 – InsiderMedia

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/ireland/moyargets-youngest-entrepreneur-beekeeper-starts-own-honey-brand

Bees Help Tackle Elephant-Human Conflict In Kenya

12-Nov-24 – NDTV World

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bees-help-tackle-elephant-human-conflict-in-kenya-6999437

Nimbees: Rare bees foil Meta’s position in data centre arms race

05-Nov-24 – CityAM

AI innovator takes sting out of hornet threat with our support

04-Nov-24 – Innovate UK

Honeybee Behavior Genetically Programmed

01-Nov-24 – Neuroscience News