I’ve been asked to pass on some information on Yellow Legged Asian Hornets from the West Wiltshire Beekeepers Association which is attached in PDF form.
TL;DR (Too long didn’t read version) You may hear more about the Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet this year. It’s an invasive species that preys on bees and many other insects, and can cause serious damage to local wildlife if it becomes established.
This isn’t just a beekeeping issue. In areas where the hornet has spread, insect numbers fall, pollination suffers, and bird populations decline, affecting gardens, food growing and the wider countryside.
Local volunteer teams are monitoring the situation and can act quickly if a genuine sighting is confirmed. Early reporting makes a big difference.
How you can help
- Don’t panic – the risk to people is low
- Learn what the hornet looks like (many insects are commonly mistaken for it)
- If you think you’ve seen one, report it using the Asian Hornet Watch app
- Please don’t set traps or try to deal with nests yourself
For more information and detail on what’s being done locally, please see the full Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet information document (PDF).
