Image Credit – Jean Haxaire
The British Beekeepers’ Association is urging everyone to stay alert, get informed and be ready to report any sightings of the invasive Yellow-legged Asian hornet
(Vespa velutina) as part of our Yellow-legged Asian Hornet Week: 1st – 7th September 2025.
This year is already a record-breaker for yellow-legged Asian hornets (YLH). Predominantly it is Kent and East Sussex on the front line but there have been sightings elsewhere and YLH could turn up anywhere in the country. They don’t just threaten honey production, they threaten pollination, biodiversity, and our entire food system. One nest consumes around 11 kilos of insects in a single season.
What to look for:
The yellow-legged hornet is often confused with harmless native species. Key features of this predator are:
- Slightly smaller than the native European hornet at around 3cm
- Almost entirely dark brown or black body
- Distinctive bright yellow knee socks
- Single yellow/orange band near the tail end
Why it matters:
These hornets are non-native predators that can wipe out honey bee colonies and devastate native insect populations. Unlike species with more specialised diets, they are opportunistic hunters – feeding on some 1,400 different insect species including honey bees, bumble bees, butterflies, hoverflies and beetles.
What to do if you think you’ve seen one:
- Take a clear photo from a safe distance
- Record the location
- Report immediately via the free ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app (iOS and Android), by email: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk or using the online reporting form
Do not kill it or disturb any nests – experts will assess and respond.
See the full article here.
Further information on species can be found here.
