We’re killing the wrong hornets

NESTS of Britain’s native hornets are being destroyed because they are mistaken for the invasive Asian species devastating the country’s beehives.

Experts at Devon Wildlife Trust say it has led to a ‘misguided persecution’ of the indigenous European hornet.

Spokesman Steve Hussey said every exterminated nest the trust had investigated contained native insects, adding: ‘People have destroyed nests, suspecting them of belonging to Asian hornets.

‘Unfortunately, all the cases have proved to be European hornets and not the invasive species. ‘This is really unfortunate. ‘European hornets are a beautiful and vital part of our environment.’

Asian hornets raid beehives and wipe out colonies, but Mr Hussey said: ‘Telling a native European hornet apart from an Asian hornet isn’t always easy.

‘Our native hornets are slightly bigger, while Asian hornets tend to be darker.

‘However it is easy to be confused.’