Deadly Asian hornet spotted for second time in UK this year

An Asian hornet that could threaten the UK’s honey bee population and even kill humans has been spotted on our shores for the second time this year.

Just one Asian hornet can consume up to 50 honey bees a day, while a swarm of the deadly insects can kill a hive of 30,000.

Also known as Asian predatory wasps, the hornet’s sting is even capable of killing a human.

Now the British Beekeepers Association has confirmed the species has been spotted in Folkestone, Kent – the second sighting in the UK this year.

The first was in Northumberland on April 5.

An invasion from the hornet – which is smaller than a European hornet and can be identified by their yellow legs and orange face – could damage the whole nature of bee hives in the area, according to experts.

Qualified beekeeper, Sue Kittle, told KentOnline that people should avoid approaching any potential nests.

She said: ‘These hornets are very defensive of their hives and can do what is called a mass attack.

‘We need to track them down and find out if this sighting is the beginning of a nest.

‘Last year was a fantastic year for hornets in France. It is possible they hibernated over the winter and have come across the Channel.

‘It also could have been stowed away on a lorry, but we don’t know yet.’

The venomous species, which is native to China, was first identified in the UK in 2016.

The British Beekeepers Association has asked the public to download its Asian hornet watch app to help identify any further sightings of the alien invaders.

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