70 per cent of local beehives destroyed by oriental hornets

Oriental hornets have been responsible for the decimation of 70% of Maltese beehives, which will result in problems with honey production and potential repercussions on farming. 
Apiarists arrived at the figure of destruction after comparing data and information about the havoc that hornets had wreaked on their hives from the beginning of summer until the end of September.
The loss of so many bees has far-reaching implications for the local honey industry as well as the agricultural sector at large, according to Mark Psaila, secretary of the Malta Beekeepers Association. He was speaking following a meeting on Monday between all the beekeeping associations in the country.

“Apart from the loss of honey, the bees’ important role as pollinators will have an impact on local fruit trees and other indigenous flora for which the bee is integral in pollinating,” he said, adding that, as a result, very little honey will be produced by apiarists next year.
“There will definitely be a loss of honey production as beekeepers are going to instead focus on rebuilding their colonies next year.”
While the oriental hornets are indigenous to Malta, a recent boom in the population has seen a...