Asian Hornet
The Asian Hornet
The Asian Hornet poses an imminent threat to the Wye Valley, in particular to honeybees and pollinating insects, which are already in decline.
They are darker and slightly smaller than our native European hornet but larger than common wasp. It has distinguishing features – striking yellow ‘socks’, a distinct orange face and an orange-yellow band towards the tail end of its abdomen.
Comparison of Hornet, Wasp and Bee
“Experience in Europe has shown that the Asian Hornet will spread exponentially at an alarming rate, and despite earlier preventative measures, established Asian Hornet nests have been found and destroyed this summer so far in Kent, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall. Sightings of individuals have occurred in Northumberland, Suffolk, Hampshire.”
“This hornet is a reportable, highly invasive pest that poses a serious threat to all pollinators, the ecological system and to humans.”
It is illegal to trap and release an alien species.
If you do trap one, please contain it (in the freezer) and alert the authorities via a free Asian Hornet Watch App new app to report Asian hornet sightings - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or by email to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
For more information, please follow the link here to the Asian Hornet Action Team site: ahat.org.uk