This week is Asian Hornet Week (1–7 September), a vital time to raise awareness of the growing risk these invasive predators pose to our pollinators, farmers, and wider environment. For the East Midlands’ farming community, especially those working organically or on smaller scales, the impact of an Asian hornet incursion could be devastating.
What Do Asian Hornets Look Like?
Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) are often mistaken for native species, but there are key features to watch for:
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Size: 2.5–3 cm, slightly smaller than the European hornet.
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Body: mostly black with a distinctive yellow-orange band on the fourth abdominal segment.
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Legs: yellow at the tips, giving a “yellow-booted” appearance.
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Face: orange with dark eyes.
They are daytime hunters, frequently seen hovering outside beehives to ambush honeybees.
Why They Matter in the East Midlands
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Pollinator decline: Our region relies heavily on bees and other insects for pollinating crops such as oilseed rape, apples, berries, beans, and squash. Asian hornets don’t just devastate honeybee colonies — they also feed on butterflies, hoverflies, and other pollinators.
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Farming risk: Organic and small-scale East Midlands farmers, who depend on natural pollination rather than chemical inputs, are especially at risk if Asian hornets become established.
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Ecosystem balance: Fewer pollinators mean weaker harvests, poorer biodiversity, and a direct impact on rural livelihoods.
Numbers Are Rising
The scale of the challenge is growing. Already this year, 342 sightings have been recorded in the UK — compared to 74 last year. While the East Midlands has not yet seen the same level of activity as the South, the risk of spread is very real.
How to Report a Sighting
Rapid reporting is key to preventing Asian hornets from taking hold. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), commissioned by DEFRA, has created the Asian Hornet Watch app. The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app is available to download from the Apple and Android app stores. This free smartphone tool lets you:
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Submit photos of suspected hornets.
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Provide precise locations.
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Alert experts so nests can be located and destroyed swiftly.
Alternatively, members of the public can also report sightings by email to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk with a photo.
What You Can Do Locally
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Be vigilant: check hives, orchards, allotments, and hedgerows.
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Know the signs: look for the “yellow-booted” hornet, especially around flowering plants or hives.
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Don’t engage: never try to destroy a nest yourself — hornets can be aggressive when threatened.
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Spread the word: share this information with neighbours, farming groups, and local communities.
Asian Hornet Week is a reminder that every sighting reported counts. Protecting our pollinators means safeguarding the crops, landscapes, and livelihoods that define our region.
