Newbattle Beekeepers Association

Martin V came across a Facebook post (see below). 

It reads

"Galicia on high alert after three deaths from Asian hornets"

The text in the photograph states

"Alert in Galicia three dead in two weeks due to attacks by velutina wasps"

A timely reminder that the sting is not like a wasp.

For your information a general comparison relating to hornet v wasp venom.

Feature	Asian Hornet Venom	Wasp Venom
Pain level	Often more painful due to higher levels of acetylcholine, a pain-intensifying chemical.	Pain is generally described as sharp and prickly.
Toxicity	Contains neurotoxins and cytotoxins, which can cause localized pain, swelling, and in severe cases, nausea, headache, and muscle damage.	Contains enzymes, amines, peptides, and other compounds that can cause allergic reactions, from minor skin irritation to anaphylactic shock.
Stinging behavior	Can sting multiple times and their stingers are not barbed, so they can withdraw them easily.	Can sting multiple times.
Allergic reactions	If you are allergic to wasp venom, you will likely be allergic to Asian hornet venom.	Can trigger allergic reactions from local irritation to anaphylactic shock.
Danger	Multiple stings from certain hornet species can be fatal due to highly toxic venom.	Multiple stings are rarely fatal, except in the case of allergic reactions.

National Honey Day is just around the corner, and is a day for celebrating honey produced by UK hobby beekeepers and bee farmers. Lets celebrate the bees and raise a glass of Mead on Tuesday!

It is estimated that we produce no more than 10% of the honey consumed in the UK.

Let us try and do our best to change that 

Yellow-legged (Asian) Hornet Advice

With the yellow-legged (Asian) hornet being confirmed in Belfast, Scottish beekeepers are becoming increasingly concerned about the possibility of the Yellow-legged (Asian) hornet making an appearance here.

The Scottish Government’s 'Yellow-legged hornet: pest-specific contingency plan' sets out the official response that will be made by the relevant authorities. Click here to view the plan.

Scotland's beekeepers can play an important part by making sure they are able to correctly identify the Yellow-legged hornet and then report any sighting without delay. There is a handy guide which you can view and circulate by downloading here.

The Scottish Government has advised that the preferred mechanism for reporting a potential sighting is to use the Asian Hornet Watch App because it provides clear guidance on species differentiation and records location and contact detail information.

The app is available for both iPhone and Android operating systems and can be downloaded from the usual app providers or below

For iPhones click here

For Android click here

Members are encouraged to download the Asian Hornet Watch App and ensure that they are familiar with its content and use.

Podcast Episode 19 of the Podcast goes into more detail about his position on treatment-free beekeeping.  Click on the image to listen

This year is the worst year on record for credible sightings and nests destroyed.

The range of the insect has extended from the South of the UK to locations in the North.

Confirmed sightings are on record for North Yorkshire and Runcorn in Cheshire.

A reported sighting was also recorded for Cork in Ireland. This is the second hornet to be found in Ireland, the first being in Dublin in 2021.

Scottish Beekeepers Association - MODULE EXAMS DEADLINE

Every year the SBA run two diets of module exams where you can expand your honey bee and beekeeping knowledge. The next are on Saturday 15th November and the closing date to register to sit one of these module exams is less than 2 weeks away, Tuesday 30th Sept. To register please click here. 

For more information on each of the modules and to download their current syllabus please click here. Please note the Recommended Reading List has been updated, and you can download that here.

If you have any questions or want to find out more, please contact Alan Riach the SBA Education Officer, via education@scottishbeekeepers.org.uk

Read the Blog Post Here

Winter Studies

Are you keen to develop your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge this year? Why not study for one of the Scottish Beekeepers Association  beekeeping modules? The next diet of the module exams is on Saturday 15th of November, but registration for these exams closes on the 30th of September. To register please click here.

Please don't let the word 'Exam' put you off! There is tremendous satisfaction in unearthing new facts when preparing for these exams. And you're adding to your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge, which can only be a good thing. There's a variety of topics to choose from including the management of honey bees, their biology, behaviour, diseases and pests, to honey bee products and forage. The new Plants and Pollinators module is included in this round.

So why not think about studying for one or more of the modules and enjoy expanding your knowledge? To find out more please click here

The latest Blog Post by Steve Donohoe looks at a recently published article in Scientific Reports 

Read the Walrus Blog Post Here