News Record sightings for invasive bee
Sightings of an invasive bee species in Britain have reached a record high, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust says.
Tree bumblebees first arrived from continental Europe about thirteen years ago, but they have now been seen throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland.
Scientists say it is not yet clear whether their spread is a bonus for the UK’s native bumblebees or whether they pose a threat.
The tree bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum), which is ‘furry’, with a ginger head, black body and white tail, is easy to spot and, unusually for a bee, it nests in tree hollows or bird boxes.
Stuart Roberts, who is chair of the Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society (BWARS), said the organisation had received a record number of sightings in 2013 and 2014. “The colonisation and spread of this beautiful bee has been extremely rapid,” he said.
New research suggests that the tree bumblebee may be particularly hardy. A study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology found that they are resistant to some nematode worm parasites that can kill off native bumblebees.
The jury is still out, however, as to the wider impact of the bee’s arrival.
Addition to SprayCDA team
Vicki Wall joins the SprayCDA team as Technical Manager
SprayCDA have appointed Vicki Wall as Technical Manager. Vicki has extensive industry experience and qualifications and joins the team to promote the use of labour saving, low volume herbicide within the amenity sector.
Previously with Hortech Ltd, Vicki was employed as an operations manager for ten and a half years, gaining valuable experience looking after a variety of grounds maintenance contracts and gaining useful industry insight. Vicki holds a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture with Land and Farm Management, is a BASIS advisor and CPD member since 2006, as well as being an NPTC Assessor in the Safe Use of Pesticides.
Vicki states: “I hope that my background and experience will help to drive forward the growth of this important sector. I believe strongly in promoting best practice and developing the responsible use of pesticides
within the amenity and horticultural industries, I feel low volume systems are key to this.”
SprayCDA are distributors of Mankar, PKS and Riverlynx ultra low volume and controlled droplet herbicide application systems. Ultra low volume and controlled droplet application systems reduce herbicide output compared to traditional knapsack and boom sprayers and are used by Local Authorities, contractors and groundcare professionals throughout the UK and Europe.
SprayCDA is a division of Maxwell Amenity Ltd.
www.spraycda.com
SANDBANDER
For excellent secondary drainage. Fast, easy installation of sand slits from 25mm to 40mm (1" to 1.5") to a depth of 250mm (10").
AFT Trenchers Limited T: 01787 311811
E:
info@trenchers.co.uk www.trenchers.co.uk
4 I PC JUNE/JULY 2014
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