Asian Hornet – Latest Updates
In 2025 the number of Yellow Legged Hornet (Asian Hornet) nests found in the UK has increased dramatically. They are mainly in Kent, but could come to us anywhere, including Devon, from freight or vehicles rolling off our ferries.
Even if you see only one hornet, there is almost certainly a nest nearby, although it may not be visible.
The only way to keep numbers down is to find and deal with their nests. The National Bee Unit is doing this effectively, but they can only act when they receive reports from the public that an individual hornet has been spotted. They prefer to receive reports through the Asian Hornet Watch App. There is a link to this (and other ways of reporting) on the BBKA website:
Identify & Report Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet | British Beekeepers Association
together with useful photos comparing it with similar insects.
These reports may not be acted upon if you don’t send a clear photo of the insect you saw. The reporting service has been overwhelmed by false reports. If you need help to get a photo, a local beekeeper may be able to help by putting out bait to attract the hornet, and getting a photo when it lands to feed. Each branch of DBKA has a coordinator to find the nearest willing beekeeper with bait to attend a potential sighting: Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet Teams | British Beekeepers Association
The most common false reports are due to confusion with our own native hornet. Here is a comparison:
The invasive YLH(AH) is on the left – overall black, with a single broad orange tail band. Our local “gentle giant” European hornet is on the right: yellow and chestnut brown, and looks a bit like a giant wasp.
DBKA Education Recordings and Slides
For information on Bees and swarms
Before calling anyone, please CLICK HERE to save you time and give peace of mind
Opinions expressed in articles in any publication produced by either the Devon Beekeepers’ Association or its constituent Branches are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect either the opinions or the policies of the Devon Beekeepers’ Association, the Branches, or the publications themselves.
Queen Marking colours – The year 2025 will be Blue
The international agreed colour code for years ending with the following numbers is as follows:-
1 or 6 = WHITE: 2 or 7 = Yellow: 3 or 8 =Red:: 4 or 9 = Green:: 0 or 5 = Blue.
This can be remembered by the phrase
Why You Rear Good Bees