Wednesday, August 31, 2011

It wasn't what I thought

Last November I wrote about being stung by a European hornet. In fact it was an Asian Giant Hornet. (Picture is not for the squemish) These hornets didn’t exist in France until around 2004 when they accidentally arrived in a shipment from China. They are a steadily spreading throughout France. One of the main problems is that they kill bees in large numbers, have a nasty sting and it is very difficult to dispose of their nests. No one knows how to get rid of them, the powers that be are hoping that climatic conditions or disease will kill them off

6 comments:

Véro B said...

Hopefully, the powers are also looking at what keeps these hornets in check in Asia. I had the idea of killing bees! We're having enough trouble with losing bees already.

Anji said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anji said...

Véronique: Wow, you were quick off the mark! Yes, bees are having a hard time in Europe anyway. I wonder if a very cold winter will see them off

Véro B said...

Just happened to see the post pop up on my dashboard. :) And quick isn't always good. "I had" in the above comment ought to be "I hate," of course. Hate the idea of killing bees. I didn't have the idea!

Dru Marland said...

crikey! Scary beasts! I was watching some of our local hornets sipping at tree sap, a few weeks back, and thinking how peaceful they looked. I think I'd hide behind the couch if one of these beasts hove into view...

Anji said...

Véronique: Not a good slip of the keyboard at all!

Dru: If I'd have seen it first I would have hidden too.