Hindringham-based Moon Gazer ales is helping The Norfolk Beekeepers Association (NBKA) to raise awareness of the threat of the invasive Asian hornet.
David Holliday, owner of Moon Gazer ales, with Pat Marshall, of the Norfolk Beekeepers Association
The brewery is helping the beekeepers’ campaign by producing thousands of beer mats to be used in pubs across Norfolk.
“We use local honey in producing some of our beers, and Pat from the NBKA was chatting to us about the threat to the honey supply caused by the Asian hornet and how they needed public awareness and help,” said Moon Gazer owner David Holliday.
“A beer mat seemed an obvious choice since people can have the time to take in the information and it’s also a manageable size to pop in your pocket.”
The beer mat highlights the importance of reporting sightings of the hornets. The invaders are killing native bees and pollinators, seriously threatening biodiversity.
Asian hornets can do a staggering amount of damage. Just one can tuck into 50 honey bees a day.
Drinkers can help the beekeepers by reporting sightings of the Asian hornets. They are 2.5cm in size, with a black body, yellow legs, and a wide yellow stripe.
Whether you spot them alive, or dead on the ground, reporting them will help the beekeepers association and official government bodies to map their locations and deal with the threat.
Pat Marshall, from the NBKA, said: “The bees have no defence and this is a very real threat to them and the biodiversity they bring, which impacts all of us.
“We are speading the word in as many ways as we can, and asking the public to be vigilant and to help. The support of Moon Gazer and Norfolk pubs is greatly appreciated.
“It’s key that they are not allowed to take a hold in Norfolk, or indeed anywhere in the UK.”
Sightings can be reported:
- Via the Asian Hornet Watch app
- By emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
More information on Asian hornets can be found here.
