Britons urged to remain vigilant as deadly Asian hornets spotted across UK
The Asian hornet is an extremely invasive species and has become more prominent in the UK since 2016.
Brits have been urged to stay “vigilant” after Asian hornets have been spotted across Britain. Native to southeast Asia, the deadly insects were spotted in Dover, Kent, in the sixth sighting of the invasive insects since April this year.
The stinging insects, which are considered an invasive species, have been spotted throughout the UK including in Plymouth and in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Experts have urged the public to report any sightings of the insects as they fear that the species could pose a serious threat to Britain's honey bees.
The experts from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), however, warned people not to approach any potential nests due to the dangers the black and yellow hornets pose.
Defra's Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Nicola Spence said reported sightings would help the UK Government agency “take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets.”
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The officer added: “That's why we are working at speed to locate and investigate any nests in the area following the confirmed sightings in Kent.
“While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than other wasps or hornets, they can cause damage to honey bee colonies and other beneficial insects.
“Please continue to look out for any Asian hornets and if you think you've spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.
“Asian hornet nests will be smaller at this time in the year but we are still asking people to be vigilant.”
The warning comes after a single Asian hornet was captured near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in Northumberland this April.
Since then, there have been multiple confirmed sightings of the insects throughout Kent, including one that resulted in the destruction of a nest in Dover.
The sightings of the insects in Kent this summer marked the first confirmed sighting of Asian hornets in the county in four years.
Asian hornets, which are smaller than the UK's native hornets, prey on honeybees and therefore a pose a major threat to honeybee populations.