Seen a hornet and not sure what it is?
Many people who contact us are worried they have found an Asian hornet, now more commonly known as a yellow-legged hornet.
Many suspected sightings turn out to be native European hornets, common wasps, hoverflies or other insects that look similar. The yellow-legged hornet is smaller than our native European hornet, despite the impression some photographs and headlines can give.
If you can safely take a clear photograph, send it to us. We will help you understand what you may have found and explain the most sensible next step.
What have you noticed?
You may have seen a dark-coloured hornet visiting flowers, fruit or a garden, an insect hovering around honey bees or a large wasp-like insect that looks different from those you usually see. You may also have seen an insect entering and leaving the same place repeatedly, or a nest you are concerned about.
Many enquiries begin with a single insect rather than a nest. If you can take a photograph safely, it is usually more useful than a description.
What is not a yellow-legged hornet?
Several British insects can be mistaken for a yellow-legged hornet, especially when seen briefly or from a distance. The photographs on this page show four insects that are not yellow-legged hornets.
Wood wasp
Despite its name, the wood wasp is a sawfly, not a hornet. A female has a long egg-laying tube at the rear of her body, which can look like a sting but is used to lay eggs.
Hornet-mimic hoverfly
Sometimes called a hornet mimic fly, this large hoverfly has markings that can resemble a hornet. It is a fly, not a wasp or hornet. It has one pair of wings, eyes that nearly meet at the top of its head and no narrow waist.
European hornet
The European hornet is our native hornet. It is larger than the yellow-legged hornet and has much more yellow and reddish-brown colouring.
Queen common wasp
A queen common wasp is larger than the worker wasps often seen around homes. It has the familiar yellow and black markings of a common wasp.
Colour and size are useful clues, but identification should not depend on one feature alone. If you are unsure, take a photograph from a safe distance and use the reporting guidance below.
Biology and life cycle
Yellow-legged hornets live in colonies. Each colony begins in spring when a mated queen emerges from winter shelter and starts a small nest. She lays eggs and cares for the first young hornets.
The first workers emerge after about a month. They take over feeding the young and building the nest, while the queen continues to lay eggs. The colony grows through the summer.
Later in the year, the colony produces males and new queens. After mating, the new queens leave to spend the winter in sheltered places. The old colony dies off and the cycle begins again the following spring.
Workers catch insects to feed the developing young. Their prey includes honey bees and other pollinators.
Why yellow-legged hornet reports matter
The yellow-legged hornet is an invasive non-native species in the UK. It preys on a range of insects, including honey bees and other pollinators. A clear photograph and the location of a suspected sighting can help the official response team assess the report and decide whether further investigation is needed.
How Guardian approaches a suspected sighting
Our first priority is helping you work out what you may have found. If you can safely take a clear photograph, we can look at it and provide practical guidance.
Guardian does not provide routine treatment for yellow-legged hornet sightings. We help customers understand the identification features and find the appropriate reporting route.
Credible reports can be passed to the official response team for assessment. If further investigation is needed, the relevant authorities decide what action to take.
Reporting a suspected yellow-legged hornet
If you think you have seen a yellow-legged hornet, take a clear photograph if it is safe to do so and note where you saw it. Do not approach or disturb a suspected nest.
To report a sighting using the app, go to Google Play, search for Asian Hornet Watch and download it. You can also report a suspected sighting through the official online form.
If you have a known allergy to wasp or hornet stings, keep well clear and do not attempt to take a close photograph. Please do not try to destroy a suspected nest yourself.
What happens if you ask us to visit?
In most cases, a visit is not needed at the start. A clear photograph may be enough to help us discuss what you have seen and whether official reporting is appropriate.
If we are asked to attend, we will discuss what has been seen, assess the available evidence and explain the most sensible next step based on the information available at the time.
Common questions
Are yellow-legged hornets the same as Asian giant hornets?
No. The yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, is a different species from the much larger Asian giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia, often shown in overseas news and videos.
Are yellow-legged hornets larger than European hornets?
No. Yellow-legged hornets are smaller than our native European hornet.
What if I am not sure what I have seen?
You do not need to identify the insect before contacting us. If possible, take a photograph from a safe distance. We will help you understand what you may have found and explain the most sensible next step.
Tell us what you have noticed
If you have a photograph, send it to us. We will help you understand what you may have found and explain the most sensible next step.
