Protect Our Pollinators: A Guide to Spotting and Reporting the Invasive Asian Hornet.

Be on the lookout for the Asian Hornet!

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), also known as the yellow-legged hornet, is an invasive species that poses a significant threat to our native honeybees and other pollinators. With recent sightings in the UK, it's crucial that we all know how to identify and report them. The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is encouraging everyone to be vigilant.

Image © Danel Solabarrieta - Used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Licence with thanks.

What to look for:

• Size: Smaller than the native European hornet, but larger than a wasp.

• Colour: A dark, almost black, body with a single, broad yellow band on the abdomen.

• Legs: Distinctive yellow tips on their legs (hence the name "yellow-legged hornet").

• Head: A black or dark brown head with an orange-yellow face.

How to tell them apart from native species:

• European Hornet (Vespa crabro): Our native hornet is larger and has a much more yellow body with brown markings. Its legs are also brown, not yellow-tipped.

• Wasp (Vespula vulgaris): Wasps are smaller and have a very distinct black and yellow striped pattern on their bodies.

A diagram that shows the difference in apprearance between the invasive Asian Hornet, and the native European Hornet.

Why is it a problem?

Asian hornets are voracious predators of honeybees and can decimate bee colonies, impacting pollination and our ecosystem.

What to do if you think you've seen one:

• Do not approach or disturb it. Asian hornets can be aggressive if they feel threatened.

• Take a photo or video. This is the most important step for accurate identification.

• Report your sighting immediately. Use the Asian Hornet Watch app, which can be downloaded from the Apple, or Android app stores, or fill out the online report form managed by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. You can also email an image to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk.

Your help is vital in preventing this invasive species from establishing a foothold in the UK. Let's work together to protect our bees and native wildlife!

For more information, and comprehensive guides to help identify any potential sightings, please visit the British Beekeepers Association website.

Please take a look at the guide provided by the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat to aid with identification of Asian Hornets.