What is this insect and where does it come from?
This is the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet (Vespa Velutina) a species of hornet originating in South East Asia.
It is now known as the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet to distinguish it from other Asian Hornets. It is of concern as an invasive species in countries outside Asia.
1. What does it look like?
It is slightly smaller than our native European hornet. It has a very dark, almost black body, yellow legs up to its knees and has a distinctive orange stripe on its abdomen.
2. I read that it arrived in France?
Yes, it arrived in France in 2004 in a consignment of pottery and one single hornet was seen to escape from packaging.
This single specimen was a mated queen and it went on to create a nest. It was several years before it was identified and the authorities realised the seriousness of its existence in France. Over the next 20 years, the YLAH established itself across the whole of France, and authorities acknowledge that it cannot now be eradicated.
3. Is it in the UK?
Yes, it is. YLAH is predominantly in Kent and surrounding counties as of December 2025.
Once established in the northern part of France it was only a matter of time for YLAH to cross the channel. However, the first reported sighted was in Tetbury, Gloucester, in a potting shed in 2016. Over successive years, many were reported across the southern counties and some further north. Many were reported by people who had returned from holiday in France, and recognized the hornets.
See this link
Historic UK Yellow-Legged Hornet Incursions » APHA – National Bee Unit – BeeBase
The map shows UK sightings and nests during 2024/25. It is a snapshot, with the highest density in south east England, but also shows how far YLAH can travel through hitch hiking.
5. Is it spreading?
Yes, it is. YLAH has spread to Mediterranean countries as environmental conditions favour it. It is also spreading north into Belgium and the Netherlands and Germany as milder temperatures have become the norm.
In the UK, the authorities have learned from French best practice and are doing a very good job, responding to sightings and implementing track/tracing of released specimens to locate nests, which are then destroyed.
Natural spread of YLAH is about 50 miles per year, however YLAH is good at hitching lifts in vehicles that have travelled from France or in produce from the continent. With good public awareness and understanding of the specific threat to our apiaries, we can do a lot to help save pollinators and specifically our honey bees.
6. What does a YLAH nest look like?
In its early stages the nest can look like a wasp nest. It is made from wood pulp in the same way wasps build their nests, but they become much larger and are a creamy beige colour as opposed to grey wasp nests. They are often Pear shaped. They are not always high up in trees, but can be built in bushes. This is a particular hazard for dog walkers looking for a lost ball, or children playing and looking for the ball that has been kicked.
The nest will start small but can get very large.
If a nest if found, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GET CLOSE TO LOOK AT IT. If the hornets inside sense vibration or other threat they will immediately attack in large numbers. Call for assistance immediately, using the app or the web link detailed earlier.
7. Has YLAH been sighted in Wales?
Update 21st January 2026
https://www.gov.wales/first-finding-yellow-legged-hornet-wales
With increased vessel traffic between ports in Eire and France post Brexit, it is perhaps no surprise that YLAH would arrive in Ireland. This means the threat for North Wales is from both East & West. With inter-continental freight travelling on UK roads, the A55 could be a conduit for further spread across North Wales.
8. When are we likely to see YLAH in north Wales?
With sightings in Oswestry in 2024, there was a concern that YLAH would arrive in 2025. This did not happen. With nests found in Runcorn, will it arrive in 2026? We do not know. It all depends on how many queens mated in Autumn 2025, and how many survive hibernation to emerge in spring 2026.
If we take Kent as an example of what could happen, then yes, we will see nests in North Wales. As of November 2025, there have been 544 sightings and 161 nests destroyed across the UK (mostly in the South). The hornet has not taken over and no beekeeper has yet reported losing a colony to YLAH.
9. The YLAH colony annual lifecycle
Spring – mated and overwintered queens emerge and build nests. Their diet will be sweet & sugar rich such as tree sap or nectar.
Summer – colony numbers have grown and significant predation on other insects takes place. This is when the diet swaps to protein rich and beekeepers need to be vigilant.
Autumn – diet switches back to sugary foods i.e decaying fruits with less predation on insects and honey bees.
10. Why is it such a problem?
The YLAH is a voracious predator with no natural predators of its own. It can predate on as many as 50+ insects a day. It uses the protein to feed larvae in the nest. In return, the larvae secrete a sweet substance for the adult hornets. In one season, a colony of hornets can consume 11kg of insects. It is a significant threat to the regional biodiversity, as they predate pollinators including bumble bees, solitary bees, wasps and honey bees as well as flies, caterpillars, spiders and numerous small insects.
11. Will YLAH attack honey bees?
Yes. YLAH will not always attack honey bees on the wing when away from the hive, but once it has found a hive or wild colony in a tree, it will hawk the colony picking off bees when they leave. The message is spread and other YLAH arrive. Honey Bee colonies will go into stress and bees will not leave their hive. They consume all their stores and then starve. It is important for beekeepers to plan their defences in preparation for YLAH arrival.
12. Can I just put a hive entrance reducer or a mouse guard onto my hive?
No, this is not sufficient.
What are our hive defence options?
In Asia, the native honey bee (Apis Cerana) flies quickly to and from the colony, avoiding the hornets. They are also very effective at balling the hornet (smothering it) and killing it by heat. Our honey bees (Apis mellifera mellifera) fly more slowly and they are easy prey.
French beekeepers have devised many ingenious methods of defending hives. A simple method is to make & fit a muzzle or wire mesh housing to the front of a hive. This does not stop the YLAH from hawking, but the mesh (even as wide as 25mm) is sufficient to deter the YLAH from flying through it. This gives the bees a safe area outside the hive. They can spot the YLAH, and fly away in different directions. This also reduces colony stress.
A bought muzzle costs £40 – £50, or DIY using scraps of wood and wire mesh
Another method is the Electric Harp. Info to follow.
13. Can I trap YLAH?
Yes. There are several traps available . Choose a selective trap with holes that allow YLAH to enter (about 8mm). Larger insects cannot enter and smaller ones can escape. It is important to use a suitable attractant liquid (details to follow) and to create an island using sponge, or you will have a trap full of drowned insects.
It is important to be able to identify a Yellow Legged Asian Hornet compared to other native insects eg. the European Hornet or the Wood Wasp (it also has yellow legs) or the Hornet Mimic Hoverfly.
Please see the Non Native Species identification guide here:
ID vespa velutina yellow-legged hornet
More information
We recommend Andrew Durham’s 2025 book Asian Hornet, the beekeepers guide
Online info from National Bee Unit, and the British Beekeepers Association.
14. How is Conwy Beekeepers Association preparing for YLAH?
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Presentation on YLAH At Craig y Don on 16th Jan 2026 as part of our winter programme of events
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We have set up a working group to look at traps and defence methods.
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We are recruiting Verifiers to act on sighting reports and set up traps.
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We send frequent YLAH updates to our members.
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Awareness campaign on website and social media
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We plan to visit locations vulnerable to YLAH such as fruit and veg wholesalers, transports hubs, caravan parks.
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We can provide talks to interested groups such as Ramblers, WI, Scouts, and schools
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Lobby local politicians and councillors to lead in the fight against YLAH
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Populate local community notice boards – both physical boards and online forums.
15. What do I do if I think I have seen a Yellow Legged Asian Hornet?
Download the Asian Hornet Watch app onto a smartphone. Please remember, sighting reports will not be actioned unless there is a photograph submitted with the report. You can also report online using this link.
Non-native Alert – Asian Hornet
16. Safety
The YLAH sting is not by itself any worse than that of the native European Hornet, or from other UK wasps or bees. However, it is important to know that Hornet and Wasp sting venom is different to Honey Bee venom. Also, do not assume any tolerance to the venom of one will provide tolerance to the other. YLAH pheromone released when stinging is strong and if you are near to a YLAH nest, more hornets will appear quickly and attack. It is the multiple sting incidents that are of concern as one will almost certainly be hospitalised. Such incidents are on the rise in mainland Europe and fatalities are increasing, mainly of very young or elderly people or those with underlying illnesses. If you do see more than one hornet, keep your distance and seek further assistance.
If you catch what you think is a YLAH, report it!
17. What does a YLAH nest look like?
In its early stages, the nest can look like a wasp nest. It is made from wood pulp in the same way wasps build their nests, but they get much larger and are a creamy beige colour as opposed to grey wasp nests. They are often Pear shaped. They are not always high up in trees, but also can be built in bushes. This is a particular hazard for dog walkers looking for a lost ball or children playing and looking for the ball that has been kicked.
The nest will start small but can get verylarge.
If a nest if found, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GET CLOSE TO LOOK AT IT. If the hornets inside sense vibration or other threat they will immediately attack in large numbers. Call for assistance immediately using the app or the web link detailed earlier.
Verifiers
Verifiers will respond to reported sightings if the submission has a photograph. Verifiers can set traps and monitor them. They are part of a wider team, headed by a Coordinator. If you wish to be a verifier, contact the association secretary.
For Verifier guidance see our Verifier role and guidance document (to follow).
Monitors
Setting traps and monitoring is straight forward. The Association’s Coordinator should be informed. For help, see our Methods of monitoring guide.
Conwy Beekeepers Association, Updated 21st January 2026
Contact us, please email asianhornet@conwybeekeepers.org.uk