Invasive honey bees found in Europe for the first time

The only honey bee species in recorded history to call Europe its home has been the western hive bee – until now. Scientists recently discovered a colony of more than 2,000 invasive red dwarf honey bees (native to South Asia and the Middle East) in Malta.

Once they were identified the hive was destroyed, but it’s thought some bees had already fled to start a new colony. Bad news. Bees and other native pollinators are already in decline across Europe, and the red dwarfs are likely to compete for food as well as bring diseases to which European bees haven’t built a resistance.

Researchers believe the colony may have found its way to Malta on a cargo ship. One told the Guardian the invaders could spread elsewhere in the Mediterranean within “a few years”.

Rising temperatures and milder winters will only increase their chances of survival.