INVASIVE SPECIES

A dead nest belonging to a yellow-legged hornet has been found near Wrexham, making it the first confirmed discovery in Wales.

Also known as the Asian hornet, it is an invasive, non-native species and was first seen in France in 2004.

Since then, there have been sightings of it in numerous parts of the UK.

The Welsh government has asked the National Bee Unit (NBU) to take action in line with an existing Asian Hornet Contingency Plan, while people are being asked to "become familiar" with what the insect looks like.

How to spot an Asian hornet

The Asian hornet is smaller than the European hornet and is a highly aggressive predator of native insects. While it poses no greater risk to human health than a bee, they can cause incredible damage to honey bee colonies and other pollinating insects. 

It is quite easily identified by its yellow-tipped legs and dark abdomen, which sports a yellow band on the fourth segment. 

You can download a full identification guide on the Non-native species website.

Always remain on the lookout for any Asian hornets and if you think you’ve spotted one, report your sighting through the 'Asian Hornet Watch' app or by using the online report form.

Alternatively, you can email alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include a photograph.

Source: Online