Every sighting matters! Why your report matters in the fight against the yellow-legged hornet

Photo credit of the yellow-legged hornet: David Walker, Dungeness Bird Observatory : October 2018

The United Kingdom's (UK) response to the invasive yellow-legged hornet relies on more than specialist inspectors and technology, it relies on the public.

Recent scientific modelling undertaken by researchers working with APHA has highlighted the vital role that citizen science plays in slowing the spread of yellow-legged hornets. The findings suggest that prompt public reporting of sightings and nests is one of the most important factors determining whether incursions can be successfully located and eradicated before populations become established.

Every report makes a difference

Yellow-legged hornets can spread rapidly if nests remain undetected. The research indicates that the success of eradication efforts depends on finding and destroying nests before hornet numbers increase beyond the capacity of response teams to investigate and track them.

The model identified several key risks:

Reaching the eradication tipping point

APHA's National Bee Unit works hard to investigate credible sightings and locate nests. However, if growing hornet numbers result in more nests than can be traced and destroyed, the likelihood of successful eradication decreases significantly. Early reporting remains critical.

Protecting pollinators

Yellow-legged hornets are effective predators of insects, including pollinators. European studies have suggested that impacts can be significant in areas where the species becomes established, posing risks to biodiversity, pollination and beekeeping.

Evidence that control is possible

Genetic analysis of nests destroyed in England indicates that many incursions appear to result from repeated introductions rather than large established populations. This means that rapid detection, tracking and nest destruction can still be highly effective in preventing long-term establishment.

The public is part of the solution

The UK's response has benefited enormously from members of the public, beekeepers and nature enthusiasts who have taken the time to learn how to recognise and report yellow-legged hornets.

Every photograph submitted and every credible sighting reported helps to build a clearer picture of hornet activity and supports inspectors in locating nests.

In short: if people stop reporting, our chances of finding nests and protecting UK pollinators fall dramatically.

What you can do

If you think you have seen a yellow-legged hornet:

Take a photograph if it is safe to do so.

Record the location.

Report the sighting using the Asian Hornet Watch App or the UKCEH online reporting form.

Comparison of a yellow-legged hornet (left) to the native European hornet (right)

Do not attempt to destroy a nest yourself.

Even if you are unsure, submitting a report allows specialists to assess the evidence and determine whether further investigation is needed.

Image of a yellow-legged hornet with a radio tracker before being released and tracked to a nest

When people look and report, we find hornets! The modelling highlights just how important public reporting is to the UK's response. In areas where yellow-legged hornets are most frequently detected, such as Kent and around Plymouth, high levels of vigilance and reporting must be maintained to ensure new incursions are identified quickly. However, the research also points to another challenge: regions with fewer people, including parts of Wales, may be at greater risk of hornet populations becoming established unnoticed. Whilst these areas provide suitable habitat for yellow-legged hornets, lower numbers of people can mean fewer sightings are reported, reducing the chances of early detection. Every report matters. Whether you live in a known hotspot or a rural area, taking a photograph and reporting a suspected sighting could provide the crucial clue that helps APHA locate and destroy a nest before it has the opportunity to spread.

Yellow-legged Hornet Week is an opportunity to recognise the contribution made by thousands of people across England and Wales who have reported sightings, raised awareness and supported surveillance efforts.

The message is simple: See it - Snap it - Send it

By remaining vigilant and reporting suspected sightings, the public continues to play a crucial role in protecting pollinators, supporting beekeeping and helping to prevent the establishment of this invasive species in the UK.

For further detail see: Warren, D.A., Budgey, R., Semmence, N., Jones, E.P. and Jones, B. (2025) Public reporting is essential for controlling the invasive yellow-legged hornet: a novel model simulating the spread of Vespa velutina nigrithorax and timescales for control in Great Britain. NeoBiota 101: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.101.148570. Tracking technology taking on the yellow-legged hornet

https://aphascience.blog.gov.uk/2026/09/09/every-sighting-matters-yellow-legged-hornet/

seen at 09:55, 9 September in APHA Science Blog.