Warning of ‘extra threat’ from Asian hornets after UK sightings

Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), also known as the yellow-legged hornet or Asian predatory wasp, is a species of hornet indigenous to southeast Asia. It is of concern as an invasive species in European countries like France or Spain - (Getty Images)

Researchers have issued a warning about invasive Asian hornets, which are consuming hundreds of insect species, many of which are important pollinators.

The findings by University of Exeter researchers, derived from tests on the guts of more than 1,500 larvae, highlight concerns about the additional threat the hornet poses to native insects. These insects are already under pressure from farming, land use changes, and chemical pollution.