One of about 150 Asian giant hornets killed after its in-ground nest was destroyed on Sept. 18, 2019 by members of the Nanaimo Bee Keepers Club. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Invasive insect

Nanaimo beekeepers monitoring for any sign of invasive Asian giant hornets

Apr 6, 2020 | 7:13 AM

NANAIMO — Local beekeepers are closely watching for the potential return of Asian giant hornets after the invasive insect first appeared in the province in Nanaimo late last summer.

John Holubeshen and his wife Moufida of the Nanaimo Beekeepers Club coordinated the production and distribution of 60 traps to help determine if the gigantic honey bee-killing insect will gain traction in the mid island area.

The club found and destroyed an in-ground nest home to roughly 150 of the Asian hornets on Wednesday, Sept. 18 in south Nanaimo in a discovery that made national headlines.

Moufida said backyard bee keepers in Nanaimo and the Parksville-Qualicum region have a bulk of the homemade traps.

“They are very much aware, interested and keen on making sure the nest we got in September was the only nest, “ Moufida said. “This is monitoring to get some peace of mind. If there is something out there we want to be all over it.”

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Moufida said no sign of the invasive hornets have shown up in the traps so far.

One of about 60 Asian giant hornet traps located meters from where an in-ground nest home to about 150 of the invasive insects were found on Sept. 18, 2019 (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Asian giant hornets are classified as a serious honey bee predator, which hunt insects for food, but generally aren’t interested in humans, pets and livestock.

When their nest is disturbed they will attack with painful stings, which can be hazardous to people’s health, the ministry said.

People stung 10 or more times by an Asian giant hornet are at a higher risk of developing toxic or allergic reactions.

Moufida said their club has become a local liaison with government officials, including provincial apiculturist Paul van Westendorp.

“We are in constant communication about this on a weekly basis. Anything Paul’s sees on the island he tells us, anything we see on the island we tell him.”

She said anybody in the mid island area who spots an Asian giant hornet is asked to email: nanaimobeekeepers@gmail.com with preferably a picture of the insect.

Asian giant hornet sightings can also be made to the Invasive Species Council of BC or B.C Ministry of Agriculture.

John Holubeshen helped destroy the giant Asian hornet’s nest beside a wooded trail parallel to Park Ave. south of Robins Park.

While hopeful the insects won’t return, John said they could be visible over the next several weeks.

“As soon as the weather gets a little bit warmer typically around 12 degrees. Anytime you start seeing yellow jackets that’s when these things will be out as well,” he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed the queen hornet was killed when the Nanaimo Bee Keepers Club destroyed the nest in September.

However, the Holubeshen’s said it’s possible other surviving queens hibernated underground in the region during the winter.

The Ministry of Agriculture issued a recent news release asking the public to look out for potential Asian giant hornets linked to three combined dead specimens found in Blaine, Wash and White Rock, B.C. late last year.

Asian giant hornets are large compared to other hornets, with noticeably large orange heads and black eyes, according to the ministry. Worker hornets are approximately 3.5 cm in length. Queens can be up to 4 cm to 5 cm in length with a wingspan of 4 cm to 7 cm.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes