‘Unprecedented’ sightings of Asian hornets raise fears for UK bees

Early reports have led experts to believe there could be a surge in the deadly invader, threatening native species

They have bright yellow legs, are about 25mm (almost 1in) long, and a single colony, if left unchecked, can butcher" 90,000 pollinating insects in just one season.

Since the first UK sighting in 2016 of Vespa velutina - the Asian or yellow-legged hornet - beekeepers and scientists have waged a vigorous campaign to minimise the damage this invasive species can do to Britain's biodiversity and bee colonies.