Asian Hornets (Vespa velutina)
The Facts
Appearance and biology
The Asian hornet is smaller than our native hornet, with adult workers measuring from 25mm in length and queens measuring 30mm. The abdomen is mostly black except for the fourth abdominal segment which has a yellow band. It has characteristically yellow legs which accounts for why it is often called the yellow-legged hornet and its face is orange with two brownish-red compound eyes.
Spot the Difference
The image below shows very clearly the difference between the more gentle European Hornet (left) and the Asian Hornet (right)
Report sightings of this species:
Do not disturb an active nest. Members of the public who suspect they have found an Asian Hornet should report it with a photo in any of the following ways
- Click Report a Sighting on this page
- with the iPhone and Android recording app: Asian Hornet Watch
- online at: www.nonnativespecies.org/alerts/asianhornet
- by email: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
