Asian Hornets in the UK: A Growing Invasive Threat

Asian Hornets in the UK: A Growing Invasive Threat

By chx0ut4DMin Comment Closed
The arrival of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), also known as the yellow-legged hornet, has become one of the UK’s most significant invasive species challenges. Originally from Southeast Asia, the species has spread rapidly across continental Europe since its accidental introduction into France in 2004. UK authorities continue to battle incursions before the species becomes fully established. According to the RSPB and the National Bee Unit, continued vigilance remains essential. How Did Asian Hornets Reach the UK? The evidence suggests these hornets expanded naturally across Europe while also hitchhiking in shipping containers, vehicles, camping equipment, produce, and other commercial goods. The first confirmed mainland UK sighting occurred in Gloucestershire in 2016, triggering a rapid response from the UK’s National Bee Unit. Since then, authorities have recorded numerous individual sightings and nests, particularly in southern England. Despite repeated incursions, government agencies maintain that Asian hornets are not yet established across mainland Britain, thanks largely to intensive surveillance and nest destruction programmes. Further information is available from...
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Could a chicken change sex?

Could a chicken change sex?

By chx0ut4DMin Comment Closed
We are very proud of our chickens, who provide endless hours of amusement and, indeed, affection. Recently, one of our hens started making unusual squawking noises. During conversations with fellow chicken enthusiasts, we were told something that surprised us: apparently, hens can change sex. Having never heard of this before, we decided to investigate the science behind the claim. Can a Hen Really Change Sex? The short answer is not exactly. A hen can sometimes develop male characteristics if her only functioning ovary becomes damaged or stops working. In chickens, only the left ovary normally functions in egg production, while the right gonad remains largely undeveloped. If the left ovary is damaged, for example through age-related degeneration, the dormant right gonad can begin producing male hormones. As a result, a hen may begin to display characteristics that are typically associated with a cockerel. Signs of a Sex-Reversed Hen When this occurs, a hen may: Grow a larger comb and wattles Develop long saddle and hackle feathers similar to those of a...
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Decoding Bryophytes: Earth’s Green Carpet  

By chXout Team Comment Closed
Meet the Bryophytes Whilst many of us are familiar with the fungi, bryophytes often go unnoticed. This ancient class of non-vascular plants is made up of three contenders – mosses, liverworts and hornworts. Forming soft green layers upon the forest floor, rocks and tree trunks, these species are vital to building and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. However, due to their size, and subtle morphological features, species recognition has long been a challenge.   Consisting of over 20,000 species, it’s no wonder bryophytes can be hard to differentiate! DNA barcoding allows accurate species-level identification, with only the smallest amount of sample. It opens a new window of opportunity for foragers and scientists alike to delve deeper into the world of bryophytes. Calypogeia muellerina under a microscope, by Loup-Anne via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-4.0 Liverworts, Hornworts and Mosses These plants thrive where others cannot, colonizing a range of environments from bare rock to lush forest. Bryophytes are involved in primary succession and initiation of ecosystems, so must be hardy enough to survive in challenging conditions – see our earlier blog post on mosses and lichens to learn more about this! Liverwort Marchantia...
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Protect our Pollinators: Identifying the UK’s Bee Populations

By chXout Team Comment Closed
The Humble Bee The UK is home to more than 250 species of bee, ranging from honeybees to bumblebees and the lesser-known solitary bees. Together they play an essential role in the maintenance of biodiversity and functioning of our ecosystems. Unfortunately, a combination of habitat loss, pesticides and climate change are contributing to the startling decline in our bee populations.  Understanding the humble bee’s role in our world is paramount to their protection. With such a diversity of species comes a wide range of specialities. However, many species appear remarkably similar, making it near impossible to differentiate between them. This is where species identification becomes crucial, allowing us to understand which species are present, and how to best protect them. Become the Bee's Knees in Species ID... Bumblebees, like Bombus terrestris are the classic fluffy fliers you know and love. With their thick fur coat they can fly in cooler, low light conditions. For this reason, they can kick-start pollination in early spring, when many species are not yet active. Bumblebees carry out pollination across wildflowers, and a few crops, but their special...
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Mini Architects: The Hidden Importance of Lichens and Mosses 

By chXout Team Comment Closed
Hidden Heroes Lichens and mosses make up some of the lesser noticed details of the forest. Growing quietly on stone walls, tree bark and exposed rock, they occupy a large range of ecological niches, supporting the ecosystem in some very unexpected ways. Acting as keystone species, entire ecosystem health can rely upon them, with removal having catastrophic effects.   Despite sharing morphological similarities and harmoniously growing side by side, these two organisms are very different, making species much trickier than it seems.  Both life forms play a pivotal role in primary succession, the earliest stage of ecosystem formation. Lichens break down rocks through chemical and physical means, this creates the first layers of soil in otherwise barren landscapes. This thin substrate is then colonised by mosses, stabilising and enriching conditions, encouraging new species to establish.   Lichens Despite appearing as a single organism, lichens are a partnership between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner. The latter is usually a cyanobacteria or green algae. The thallus is the main body of the lichen, made mostly of the fungus, whilst the sugar-producing partner provides food.   Many lichens belong to the Ascomycota phylum and can be classified according to their fungal partner. This...
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Fruiting Through the Seasons: An Annual guide to Nature’s Wild Fungi

By chXout Team Comment Closed
Summer Fungi Temperature increases and warm rains encourage a new cohort of fungi to emerge. Unlike Spring fungi, summer fungi have wider fruiting windows and many appear intermittently throughout the season.  Summer brings long, sunny days, meaning trees are in peak photosynthetic activity. For mycorrhizal fungi this is good news, hence why a vast proportion of this season’s species are. With sugar production and transportation reaching new highs, an elevated level of underground activity can be supported, with fungi bursting out across the woodland floor.   Summer fungi, such as the well-known Chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius), aid trees in these elevated temperatures. Their fungal hyphae, comparable to long networks of string, extend far beyond where the tree roots can. Crucially, this allows absorption of more water, meeting inflated demands. Many groups, such as the Brittlegills, also help increase nutrient uptake. These Russula species, classic summer fruiters, aid phosphorus and nitrogen absorption. Phosphorus promotes strong root development, helping with stability, whilst nitrogen is essential for producing chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a green pigment, present in leaves, which allows sunlight to be converted into energy through photosynthesis. These mutually beneficial relationships demonstrate the true intelligence and interconnectedness of nature! Autumn Fungi Autumn is prime fungi time in the UK, with mushroom growth in full swing. Many...
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