Watch out: Asian Hornet alert for Hampshire

If you're out on the footpaths this season, there's something new to keep an eye out for – and it's not a wildflower.

The yellow-legged Asian hornet is spreading across southern England, and walkers are being asked to help. Over 150 nests have already been eradicated in Kent and Sussex, with sightings now confirmed in Hampshire and Dorset. The surge has prompted urgent action from the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) and DEFRA, who are calling on outdoor groups like ours to help spread the word.

Why it matters to walkers

The yellow-legged Asian hornet poses a serious threat to honeybees and other pollinators – bumblebees, butterflies, and more – but there's a direct risk to walkers too. Nests can be tucked away in hedgerows and brambles, and these insects aggressively defend them. A disturbed nest, containing thousands of individuals, can pose a real hazard to anyone who stumbles across it unknowingly.

What to do if you spot one

Don't approach or disturb it. Instead, report it using the free Asian Hornet Watch App, which allows you to log sightings so that authorities can locate and safely remove nests.

Correct identification is key — the yellow-legged Asian hornet is distinct from our native hornets, and the app will help you tell them apart.

More information

Full details, including identification guides and resources, are available at bbka.org.uk. If you have questions or want to request an information pack, you can also contact the Meon Valley Beekeepers Association's Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet Team directly at asian-hornet@meonvalleybeekeepers.co.uk.