Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) cause significant environmental damage and sightings should be reported to the Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) as soon as you can. These hornets are most active between April and November (peaking in August/September) and are inactive over the winter.
In Jersey, France and large areas of Western Europe they are stripping the environment bare of insects before moving on to prey on managed honeybee colonies.
If you spot Asian hornets, take some photos and capture a specimen, if possible, to send to the NNSS for identification; if the sighting is positive, the NNSS will trigger further investigations by bee inspectors.
Asian Hornet Week - September 10-16
Timed to coincide with when Asian hornets start hawking honeybees at hive entrances; the early autumn is the last chance we will have to prevent the emergence of new Asian hornet queens.
#AsianHornetWeek aims to encourage beekeepers to spend several one-hour sessions looking out for Asian hornets at their apiaries during fine weather. If you pin a 'skirt' around your hives you will force Asian hornets to hawk in front of the hive rather than ambushing bees from underneath and you can see if your bees are under attack.
https://www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet-week
In Jersey, France and large areas of Western Europe they are stripping the environment bare of insects before moving on to prey on managed honeybee colonies.
If you spot Asian hornets, take some photos and capture a specimen, if possible, to send to the NNSS for identification; if the sighting is positive, the NNSS will trigger further investigations by bee inspectors.
Asian Hornet Week - September 10-16
Timed to coincide with when Asian hornets start hawking honeybees at hive entrances; the early autumn is the last chance we will have to prevent the emergence of new Asian hornet queens.
#AsianHornetWeek aims to encourage beekeepers to spend several one-hour sessions looking out for Asian hornets at their apiaries during fine weather. If you pin a 'skirt' around your hives you will force Asian hornets to hawk in front of the hive rather than ambushing bees from underneath and you can see if your bees are under attack.
https://www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet-week
 Notice the bright orange face of the Asian hornet, compared to the yellow face of the European hornet (right).
Photo courtesy of Jean Haxaire, The French Natural History Museum
What do they look like? Asian hornets are slightly smaller than native hornets; queens up to 30mm, workers up to 25mm. Look out for:
Mainly in areas with deciduous trees where nests are built; sometimes in or around buildings where these provide suitable nest sites. 
The Asian hornet nest discovered low down in a hedge in North Devon in September 2017
What are Somerset Beekeepers doing about the threat posed by Asian hornets?
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Notice the yellow and brown features of the European hornet’s face, compared to the orange and black face of the Asian hornet. Photo courtesy of Jason Learner, National Bee Unit
How to detect Asian hornets
The NBU recommends DIY traps; alternatively traps are available to purchase from beekeeper equipment suppliers. There is ongoing discussion about whether the traps should be set in the Spring when there is a risk of killing our native hornets and other insects. If you do, inspect daily and rescue native insects. It's recommended that you observe activity carefully around your hives - print the photo on this page or check on the Asian hornet app to remind yourself what you're hoping not to see. The National Bee Unit has added a new feature to BeeBase to help understand UK Asian hornet surveillance. And, of course, if you spot a nest don't try and destroy it yourself. Alert the authorities! 
The Asian hornet nest discovered high up in a tree in Gloucestershire, autumn 2016
What have we learnt from the North Devon discovery?
SBKA Asian hornet policy We have adopted an 'identification and recognition' approach for the coming season (please see policy below). 
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