Hornets are large insects that look very like wasps, with black and yellow striped bodies. They can be quite frightening because they are so large but our native European hornet is not aggressive and you are most unlikely to be stung by one. Like wasps, they are carnivorous and feed on other insects, including wasps and bees.

Unfortunately an Asian hornet, has been found in the UK. This species is a major threat to our honey bee colonies and many other pollinators; it is termed a ‘non-native invasive species’ which, if spotted, needs to be reported. All hornets, wasps and bumble bees don’t last the winter, their nests dying out in the autumn. Only fertile queens survive the winter and they hibernate in all sorts of places, emerging in the Spring to start a new colony. It is thought that the Asian hornet may have been introduced to France in plant pots from China. It is now established in France and the Channel isles but we do not want it to become established here!

Link: Asian hornet – Vespa velutina

The first sightings in the UK were in the West Country in 2016 and 2017 but fortunately the nests were destroyed before any young queens had emerged.  Unfortunately an Asian hornet queen has been found this spring in Bury (Lancashire) hiding in a cauliflower which came from Boston (Lincolnshire). The astute person finding the hornet photographed it but the hornet warmed up and flew off!

The Asian hornet differs from the European hornet in that it has a black thorax, rather than a yellow and black striped body. It also has yellow legs. There are excellent pictures of the hornet and similar insects on line – look up Vespa velutina. There are apps for iphones and androids and any sightings should be reported to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk

The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app is available to download from the Apple and Android app stores.

Martin Smith, Public Affairs Manager at the British Beekeepers’ Association, said:

“This new app launched by Defra is a welcome addition to current reporting methods that have enabled beekeepers and members of the public to report possible sightings. The key to containment is catching outbreaks as early as possible and allowing fast tracking of the insects back to their nest. We encourage all our 25,000 beekeepers to install the app and use it if they see what might be an Asian hornet near their hives.”

If you need any more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Pam Hunter (BBKA)