Pests and Diseases
Now is the time for monitoring stations
Current advice is not to try and trap them, if you have a good place in your garden, put out a monitoring station. Check once a day by having a cuppa and watching, if you see a Yellow Legged Asian Hornet then take a picture and follow the steps below. There is more information here on how to make a monitoring station:
Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet
What Is the Asian Hornet?
The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) is a non-native predatory insect that poses a serious risk to honeybees, native pollinators, and local ecosystems. Originally from Southeast Asia, it was accidentally introduced to France in 2004 and has since spread across several European countries, including the UK.
The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) is a non-native predatory insect that poses a serious risk to honeybees, native pollinators, and local ecosystems. Originally from Southeast Asia, it was accidentally introduced to France in 2004 and has since spread across several European countries, including the UK.
We encourage you to use the APP to report sightings, you can find links below:
You can also go to the App Store on your iphone or Android device and download the App from there.
YOU WILL NEED A PHOTO OF THE HORNET
PLEASE WATCH OUR VIDEO FROM THE BBKA, BELOW, AND SHARE TO RAISE AWARENESS
How to Identify an Asian Hornet
The Asian hornet is smaller than the native European hornet and has some distinctive features:
- Dark brown or black body with a single orange-yellow band near the rear
- Yellow-tipped legs
- Bright orange face
- A more slender build compared to the European hornet
Why Is It a Problem?
Asian hornets are highly effective predators, especially of honeybees. They:
Asian hornets are highly effective predators, especially of honeybees. They:
- Hover outside beehives and catch bees in flight
- Take the bees back to their nest to feed their larvae
- Can significantly weaken or destroy bee colonies
What Should You Do If You See One?
If you think you’ve spotted an Asian hornet or one of their nests:
- Do not approach or disturb the nest – they can become aggressive when threatened.
- Take a photo if it's safe to do so, especially showing the legs and body.
- Report the sighting immediately to your local environmental agency or invasive species alert system.
Help Protect Our Pollinators
Early detection and swift reporting are the best ways to stop the Asian hornet from spreading. By staying informed and alert, you can play a vital role in protecting native bees, pollinators, and the environment.
Early detection and swift reporting are the best ways to stop the Asian hornet from spreading. By staying informed and alert, you can play a vital role in protecting native bees, pollinators, and the environment.
Reportable Diseases
There are a number of pests and diseases in the UK that are reportable or notifiable and these may affect your bees. If you suspect they are present within your colonies you must tell the National Bee Unit (NBU) or your local bee inspector immediately. Failure to do so is an offence.
Follow this link to find out more information from DEFRA or get in contact with your local bee inspector.