What should I do if I see an Asian Hornet and how dangerous are they?
Already, the insects have decimated honey production in parts of France and Italy, as the breed is capable of killing 50 honey bees a day.
For years, experts have kept an eye on the species, but the Jersey Asian Hornet Group - leading specialists in the insects - have raised the alert as they remarked sighting 262 queen Asian hornets by 11 April - a 1,090 per cent year-on-year increase in spotting the hornet, as reported by The Observer.
Like bees, the sting of an Asian hornet can cause painful and potentially life threatening allergic reactions, but these insects also bode a wider risk to the UK's insect population.
Here's all you need to know about Asian hornets and what to do if you spot one.
What is an Asian hornet?
Also known as the yellow-legged hornet, these insects have caused concerns for beekeepers in the UK because they prey on a wide range of insects, including honey bees. Areas with a high density of Asian hornet nests present a risk to the surrounding area when it comes to insect diversity. They also present a health risk to those who are allergic to hornet or wasp stings.
These hornets tend to be far smaller than those found in Europe. While European hornets are between 30 and 35 mm in length, Asian hornets tend to be 25 mm long. Their abdomens are mostly black except for the fourth abdominal segment, which has a yellow band. They also have yellow legs and an orange face.
Their nests tend to be high up in trees or man made structures. As well as hunting honey bees and other insects, the hornets feed on fruits and flowers.
How did hornets get to the UK?
Asian hornets are believed to have first arrived in France in a cargo of pottery from China in 2004, by accident. They have since spread rapidly across Europe and have since been spotted in 15 different countries.
They were first spotted in the UK in 2016, in the town of Tetbury, Gloucestershire. After 10 days of intensive searching, a nest was found and destroyed.
The UK has confirmed a total of 147 sightings of the yellow-legged hornet since then, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), including a total of 110 nests which have all been destroyed.
DEFRA added that there had only been two confirmed sightings of the yellow-legged hornet in 2025, per a report from 27 March.
What should I do if I see a hornet?
DEFRA have asked any members of the public who believe they have spotted an Asian hornet to report them to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEAH). Using a form on the UKCEAH website, people can send photos of the insect and the exact location of sighting.
There is also an Asian Hornet Watch app, where people can report any 'sightings of concern' to the government's National Bee Unit.
The UK Non-Native Species Secretariat have warned people not to disturb an active nest in case they get hurt.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Tourist visits American supermarket and experiences 8 major culture shocks
A Balkan woman opened up about her experience in America while visiting supermarkets - she could not get over the portion sizes or difference in products sold. Her honest opinions have divided people A tourist visiting America has divided opinion after being left gobsmacked by a number of culture shocks while shopping in a US supermarket. You may not realise just how used to your native country you are until you go on a long holida y or move abroad and start missing things from back home. It's no secret that American stores are renowned for having significantly larger portions, but one woman, named Lucija, who is from the Balkans, was shocked by a number of things she has never seen while shopping before. Sharing a video online, Lucija created quite a stir with her post, which has raked in over 6.9million views on TikTok. She listed "things in American supermarkets that would put Europeans into coma". Bread Lucija was shocked to learn was 'normal' bread looks like in US supermarkets as she found endless rows of burger buns. Typically, American families buy bread which lasts a longer time, rather than a fresh loaf like in many European stores. The bread sold in the US tends to have higher levels of added sugar, preservatives, and dough conditioners, particularly when compared to bread sold in the UK. These ingredients are used to extend shelf life and enhance sweetness. Our sister site, Daily Express, previously reported that in an investigation is was discovered that a standard-sized loaf of Warburtons contains 17g of sugar, whereas the same-sized loaf of Wonder bread packs a staggering 50g of sugar. "USA, the land of sugar and additives," commented one individual on the post. "American bread is anything but normal," wrote another. Size of portions Lucija could not get over how big a bag of popcorn is in supermarkets - or the unique flavours like cheddar cheese flavoured popcorn. "Cheddar cheese popcorn... I feel sick," commented one individual. She was also gobsmacked by a "lifetime supply" of Vaseline in a giant tub that is bigger than her hand. One American pointed out: "US is a big country everything is far each other unless you live in the city. They don't like to go out every time to go to the store. They like to store food that last. Weeks or months that's why they sell it big portion." Another agreed and shared: "The root cultural difference is that America is too damn big. for most people, grocery store is too far away. European countries smaller, grocery stores are closer. Europeans more likely (or more capable of) going grocery multiple times/week. Americans want to go once a week or less." "When people buy food to last a week, not a singular meal," said another. One other insisted: "Oh come on Balkan families would be excited to use products with that size." Cookie-flavoured bath products Lucija was shocked after she spotted the Dove Crumbl cookie flavoured bath and shower products she spotted in supermarkets. "I have no words for this one," she said. Earlier this year the Crumbl company, which has become one of the fastest selling dessert chains in the US, collaborated with Dove to roll out dessert-scented body washes, hand washes, and body scrubs. The three scents are Confetti Cake, Lemon Glaze, and Strawberry Crumb Cake. "What/s wrong with the Dove one? It's just a selection of scents," added another. "The Dove is the greatest of all time, I want that in Europe," insisted another. Bright orange Fanta "ORANGE Fanta," wrote Lucija in her baffled post. There's nothing like tucking into a cold Fanta on a warm day, but in many European countries, the colour of the treat looks a lot different to other continents. While in the UK and other European countries, it looks light a deep yellow or light orange, in the US it is a bright and bold orange colour. The colour varies because of the ingredients used and regulations. One US-based Redditor shared their experience drinking the fizzy beverage in Europe, explaining the colour difference was due to different ingredients and varying levels of sugar content. "Fanta in Italy has no dyes or artificial flavours," they wrote, alongside a photo of the pale yellow drink They added: "Slightly less sugary and a bit more tangy. It's the same soda only by name." One other commented: "You're so right about everything but I will not accept Fanta slander. Fanta in Europe is just sparkling orange juice." Another shared: "I'm from the Maldives and the Fanta here has the same neon orange colon, isn't it supposed to be like that?" "I am from an African country and orange Fanta is so nice but once you move to a European country their Fanta is just disgusting," another insisted. Skittles drinks Lucija was shocked to see what she has dubbed "radioactive soda" after she found Skittles drinks on the shelves of US supermarkets. She found a purple, red and green version of the beverage. Pre-made hard boiled eggs Lucija could not believe her eyes as she saw 12 hard boiled eggs in a sealed plastic, grab-and-go bag. "Just ew," she wrote. "Hard boiled eggs? Can't you just boil them by yourself?" commented one confused individual. Another shocked person said: "HARD BOILED EGGS IN A BAG!? I wonder how it smells when you open that hard boiled bag."
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
British butterfly species facing extinction
Butterfly numbers have plunged by nearly a fifth in the past 50 years, official figures show. The population of the heath fritillary has fallen by 89 per cent since 1976, statistics from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) reveal. Other species including including wood white, small-bordered fritillary, grayling and pearl-bordered fritillary have seen declines of 70 per cent to 80 per cent. The figures show that abundance across all species has declined 18 per cent in the UK, and 19 per cent in England, over the long term. Experts blamed the destruction of butterfly habitats for the drop in numbers. Many butterfly species have not recovered from declines experienced in the late 1970s caused by the knock-on effects of the drought conditions in 1976. However, a lack of suitable habitat in the decades that followed has contributed to the persistent decline ever since. Butterflies found on farmland have declined by around a third in both the UK and England, with those that require the specific habitat to thrive seeing falls in abundance of 42 per cent in the UK and 47 per cent in England. Woodland butterflies have fared even worse with declines of more than half (54 per cent) since the 1970s when monitoring began, with woodland specialist species declining by 55 per cent in the UK and 57 per cent in England. Across the 50 species monitored across the UK, 44 per cent have suffered declines since 1976, while 47 per cent of the 49 species assessed in England have seen drops since then.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Butterflies in long term decline across England and UK, official figures show
Butterfly numbers have fallen by nearly a fifth since the 1970s, with species that need specific habitats faring even worse, official figures show. Conservationists warn falls in butterfly numbers are a signal of problems in the wider state of the environment, and reveal what is happening to many other insects that are a key part of ecosystems. The latest annual update on butterfly monitoring published by the Environment Department (Defra) reveal abundance across all species has declined 18% in the UK and 19% in England over the long term. Specialists which need specific habitats such as flower-rich grassland, heathland and woodland clearings to thrive have seen numbers decline by more than a third (39%) across the UK, and 25% in England. And nearly half (46%) of individual species that are restricted to certain habitats have seen declines in the UK, while 50% have seen numbers fall in England. Across the UK heath fritillary has seen the most severe declines since 1976 with an 89% drop in abundance, while other habitat specialists including wood white, small-bordered fritillary, grayling and pearl-bordered fritillary have seen declines of 70% to 80%. Experts said the main causes for the declines in habitat specialist butterflies are the loss, fragmentation and degradation of those landscapes, with more intensive agriculture also contributing to the drop in numbers. Many have not recovered from declines experienced in the late 1970s, which were partly as a result of the knock-on effects of the drought conditions in 1976, but a lack of suitable habitat after that is the main driver for persistent declines and lack of recovery since. Butterflies found on farmland have declined by around a third in both the UK and England, with those that require the specific habitat to thrive seeing falls in abundance of 42% in the UK and 47% in England. Woodland butterflies have fared even worse with declines of more than half (54%) since the 1970s when monitoring began, with woodland specialist species declining by 55% in the UK and 57% in England. Butterflies have also seen short term declines on farmland, with numbers falling 12% across the UK and 11% in England over the past decade, the figures show, while woodland butterflies have shown no significant change over the same period. But the findings also show some specialist species are on the increase, including black hairstreak, silver-spotted skippers, large heath, dark green fritillary, silver-washed fritillary and purple emperor. Officials said some recent increases could be attributed to targeted conservation action, while some species are benefiting from climate change which is allowing them to expand their range. Across more 'generalist' species, which are not restricted to specific habitats, there has been no change over the long or short term, but the fortunes of individual species have differed wildly. Small tortoiseshell butterflies have seen falls of 86% between 1976 and 2024, while wall and white-letter hairstreak butterflies have seen almost as severe declines. But ringlet butterflies have increased by 273%, and holly blue and comma butterflies have also seen some of the largest increases in abundance over five decades, the figures show. Across the 50 species monitored across the UK, 44% have suffered declines since 1976, while 47% of the 49 species assessed in England have seen drops since then. Some 28% of individual species have increased across the UK and 24% have increased in England, the statistics show.
