URGENT ALERT - YELLOW-LEGGED ASIAN HORNET

URGENT ALERT: the invasive YELLOW-LEGGED ASIAN HORNET has reached the Isles of Scilly.

Please be vigilant. This pernicious invasive, very destructive alien insect has now reached the Isles of Scilly. A sighting was confirmed at Tresco on Sunday 21st September. DEFRA's National Bee Unit is currently working to eradicate the infestation. Nevertheless, there remains a SERIOUS RISK that this insect will make the crossing across to west Cornwall either on a vessel or blown on the wind. IN FACT, IT MAY ALREADY BE HERE…

Please keep an eye out for the hornet. If it ever becomes established on mainland Britain this will be a disaster for our native wildlife. Asian hornet predates on bees and a wide range of native insects. If you are a gardener or a farmer please watch out – it nests in trees, hedges and brambles and it will aggressively defend the nest. 

If you have a colour printer, please print off this A5 flier without delay and put it on your local parish notice board. Laminate the flier if you can.

We all need to be vigilant. This is the time in the hornet’s life-cycle when this year’s nests release new queen hornets which then spread out through the countryside to hibernate and then make new nests in the following spring.

Please use the link here to report any sightings and download the app.