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France worried by hornet invasion | France worried by hornet invasion |
(about 16 hours later) | |
France faces an invasion of Chinese hornets that could hasten the decline of the honeybee population. | France faces an invasion of Chinese hornets that could hasten the decline of the honeybee population. |
The wasps, known by their scientific name Vespa velutina, could also threaten bee-keepers' livelihoods, researchers say. | The wasps, known by their scientific name Vespa velutina, could also threaten bee-keepers' livelihoods, researchers say. |
They have spread rapidly in south-western France - a region popular with tourists - and could reach other European countries soon. | They have spread rapidly in south-western France - a region popular with tourists - and could reach other European countries soon. |
The 3cm-long insects are recognisable by their orange heads and yellow feet. | The 3cm-long insects are recognisable by their orange heads and yellow feet. |
Researchers think they probably arrived in France on a boat carrying ceramic goods from China in 2004. | Researchers think they probably arrived in France on a boat carrying ceramic goods from China in 2004. |
The most recent study recorded 1,100 nests across the country. The hornet is now firmly established near Bordeaux and has advanced as far north as parts of Brittany in north-western France. | The most recent study recorded 1,100 nests across the country. The hornet is now firmly established near Bordeaux and has advanced as far north as parts of Brittany in north-western France. |
"More and more of them are coming and they're colonising France," Quentin Rome, a researcher at the National History Museum in Paris, told Reuters news agency. | "More and more of them are coming and they're colonising France," Quentin Rome, a researcher at the National History Museum in Paris, told Reuters news agency. |
"They multiply quite quickly, and they settle in a new department (administrative division) every year." | "They multiply quite quickly, and they settle in a new department (administrative division) every year." |
V. velutina has not yet reached other European countries, but will probably spread across the continent, he added. | V. velutina has not yet reached other European countries, but will probably spread across the continent, he added. |
Losing battle | Losing battle |
Six people needed hospital treatment last week after being stung near a nest in the Lot-et-Garonne department in south-west France. Local authorities are warning allergy sufferers to be on their guard. | Six people needed hospital treatment last week after being stung near a nest in the Lot-et-Garonne department in south-west France. Local authorities are warning allergy sufferers to be on their guard. |
The hornets are no more aggressive or dangerous for humans than their European cousins. But the size of their colonies - with nests measuring up to one metre in height - meant the risk of attacks was higher, said Mr Rome. | The hornets are no more aggressive or dangerous for humans than their European cousins. But the size of their colonies - with nests measuring up to one metre in height - meant the risk of attacks was higher, said Mr Rome. |
Denis Thiery, a researcher at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, told Le Parisien newspaper: "According to our studies, they are able to settle in 50% of the country. | Denis Thiery, a researcher at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, told Le Parisien newspaper: "According to our studies, they are able to settle in 50% of the country. |
"The European hornet is no match for them, with only a few hundred individuals per nest compared to several thousand for the yellow-footed hornets. They do sometimes fight, but it's a losing battle." | "The European hornet is no match for them, with only a few hundred individuals per nest compared to several thousand for the yellow-footed hornets. They do sometimes fight, but it's a losing battle." |
Bee-keeper Francoise Romanzin said there had been a marked rise in attacks by Asian hornets on beehives in August. | Bee-keeper Francoise Romanzin said there had been a marked rise in attacks by Asian hornets on beehives in August. |
"The problem of the Asian hornets is not the worst problem for bee populations but it adds to the difficulties bee populations are already facing," Ms Romanzin said. |
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