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Vigilance urged after Asian hornet spotted in Hampshire
Asian hornets have a distinctive orange stripe on the fourth segment of their sbdomen.

Species has the potential to devastate honeybee populations.

Government officials have urged vigilance after a sighting of an Asian hornet was confirmed in Gosport, Hampshire.

Nicola Spence, Defra's chief plant and bee officer, called on beekeepers and members of the public to keep a lookout for the species, which has the potential to devastate honeybee populations and other native insects.

“By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets,” she said. “That’s why we are working at speed to locate and investigate any nests in the area following this confirmed sighting.”

The Asian hornet is a notifiable non-native species that originates from Asia. It was first identified in France in 2004 and has since spread rapidly throughout the country.

Although Asian hornets pose no more risk to human health than wasps, they are a serious threat to honeybees. Work is ongoing by the National Bee Unit to monitor their activity and to identify any nests.

Asia hornets are notifiable by their black bodies and distinctive orange stripe on the fourth segment of their abdomens. Measuring around 25mm in length, they also have brown legs with yellow tips that look like they have been dipped in paint.

“While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than other wasps or hornets, we recognise the damage they can cause to honey bee colonies and other beneficial insects,” Ms Spence added. “Please continue to look out for any Asian hornets and if you think you’ve spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.”

The confirmed sighting in Gosport is the first since October 2019, when two related nests were detected and destroyed in Dorset.

Image (C) Defra.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.