Warning after invasive yellow-legged Asian hornet spotted in Yorkshire

The invasive species has been spotted in Ripon after a photograph - which was submitted via the Asian Hornet Watch app - has been reviewed by experts.

The Yorkshire Beekeepers Association said the exact location of the sighting is known to the National Bee Unit, which is dealing with the sighting and has already set traps.

It is hoped a live hornet can be trapped inside one of the traps so it can be traced back to its nest.

The invasive Asian hornet is a non-native species to Britain, and preys on honeybees and other pollinators. As well as devastating the local insect population, it is also extremely aggressive and can attack in huge numbers if its nest is disturbed.

Its stings have been known to pierce a regular bee suit, and each next can produce up to 200 new queens - leading to potentially dozens of new nests every year.

Each nest gets through around 11kg of butterflies, hoverflies and bees each year.

Richard Senior, Yorkshire Beekeepers' Association's Yellow-legged Asian Hornet Coordinator, is urging anyone who thinks they've spotted one of the hornets to report it the same way, through the Asian Hornet Watch app and not approach the nest.

“There are a few insects in the UK that can look similar to a yellow-legged Asian hornet at a glance,” he said. “The app lets experts see a photo and the exact location straight away, and that’s what turns a sighting into something the NBU can actually act on.

“They’re highly aggressive if you get anywhere near the nest, and will defend it in numbers. Anecdotal evidence suggests they can even sting through a regular bee suit.

“This isn’t something to deal with yourself. Leave it to people trained, equipped and licenced to handle it safely.”

As of the end of July, 82 credible sightings of yellow-legged Asian hornets have been reported this year, with 21 nests found - mostly in Kent and Surrey.

But this isn’t the first time the dangerous hornet has been spotted in Yorkshire.

Last year, a nest was found and destroyed in Langton, close to Malton, after being reported by a member of public. They have also been previously spotted around Yarm.