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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Helena Horton Environment reporter

Asian hornets overwintered in UK for first time, DNA testing shows

Closeup of head of an Asian hornet
Asian hornets sit outside honeybee hives and capture bees as they enter and exit. Photograph: imv/Getty Images/iStockphoto

DNA testing has confirmed that Asian hornets overwintered in the UK for the first time this year, meaning it is very likely the bee-killing insect will be here for good.

Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) dismember and eat bees, and have thrived in France, where they have caused concern because of the number of insects killed. They sit outside honeybee hives and capture bees as they enter and exit, and chop up the smaller insects and feed their thoraxes to their young.

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