British hornets killed by mistake

Nature experts are asking people not to kill “useful” British hornets in mistake for the Asian species, which has been spotted in the West Country.

Asian hornets, far bigger than the native species, arrived in France in 2004. Their sting can cause human victims to go into anaphylactic shock and can prove fatal.

Defra has asked people to report any signs of the invader appearing from across the Channel.

Andrew Whitehouse, countries manager for Buglife, said he was concerned that “native hornets are being mistaken for Asian hornets and being killed unnecessarily. Our native hornets and other social wasps play an important part in maintaining a healthy countryside – they pollinate some plants, and help control crop pests. Our native hornets are quite docile and if you leave them alone they are unlikely to sting. Their nests are to be avoided, though.”