Asian Hornet invasion puts UK’s wildlife on red alert

Even if you only have a slight interest in wildlife and in particular for your garden, then chances are you’ve already heard about the notorious Asian Hornet. This non-native species of predatory insect came to Europe via a shipment of goods into France in 2004, and since then has spread to various European countries and including the UK. Also called the Yellow-legged Hornet, the species poses threats to some of our native wildlife, and including garden birds. So we asked garden wildlife expert, Lucy Taylor of Vine House Farm Bird Foods, for more information and also for advice on what we can all do to help stop the spread.

“As is normally the case with non-native species of animal, Asian Hornets are having a negative impact on our wildlife. You could easily think that it would take larger non-native animals such as birds and mammals to negatively impact our wildlife, but actually an insect like the Asian Hornet can do huge damage because of where they sit in the food chain.

Bees and other insects are predated by Asian Hornets
“As a predatory species, it is other insects which Asian Hornets kill and eat – and notably bees. As bees and other pollinator insects were already in decline ahead of the Asian Hornet’s arrival, this is clearly a worry because bees are so central to a functioning ecosystem – not to mention the production of much of the fruit and veg we eat.

Less insects means less birds
“One of the key reasons cited for the decline in populations in some songbird species, is the corresponding decline in their natural food supply – and notably flying insects. This reduction in insect numbers has rightly been blamed on factors such as intensive farming, loss of habitat and climate change, so the last thing we need is further pressure from the predatory Asian Hornet.

What you can do to help
“The first step is to be able to identify an Asian Hornet and not confuse it with our native European Hornet, with these two photos helping to make the difference clear.

Asian Hornet – note the yellow tipped legs and darker abdomen compared to the European species below

European Hornet

“If you see an Asian Hornet in your garden or elsewhere, then it’s important to report it so action can potentially be taken by the appointed authority. This can be done using several ways and including a smart phone app, with all the details here ceh.ac.uk/our-science/citizen-science/asian-hornet.

“In the event you discover what you believe to be an active Asian Hornet’s nest, then don’t disturb it but instead just report it as above. If you’re unsure whether or not what you’re looking at really is an Asian Hornet, then still report it but include your own photo when you do so.”