Residents urged to report any sightings of Asian hornets

Residents may have read about a confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet in East London recently. Originally from China and the Indian subcontinent, sporadic sightings have been recorded since 2016.

The Asian hornet is smaller than our native hornet with a darker abdomen and distinctive lower yellow legs. Nests can be found in tall trees in both urban and rural areas as well as garages and sheds, but rarely in holes in walls or in the ground.

Asian hornets pose no greater risk to humans than a bee, but they are a threat to our native honey bee. Should they become established in the UK, it will become a substantial problem for the honeybee and other pollinators.

To help protect our native honey bees, please submit any sighting on the Asian hornet Watch App available free on Google Play or App Store. The app includes an identification guide for ease.

Alternatively please report any sightings by email at alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk or through the online form.