Asian hornet sightings spark persecution of European species in UK

Cases occurred after confirmed reports of invasive species feared as threat to honeybee

A British wildlife charity has warned that a spate of bad news stories about the invasive Asian hornet is leading to the persecution of its home-grown equivalent.

Devon Wildlife Trust said it has across cases of people exterminating the European hornet (Vespa crabro) thinking it was the troublesome Asian hornet (Vespa velutina).