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Beekeepers urge residents to petition their local MPs to take urgent action against the threat of the yellow-legged Asian Hornet

Next week marks Yellow-legged Asian Hornet Week (Sep 1–5), and South Staffordshire and District Beekeepers Association (SSDBKA) is calling on residents to lobby their MPs to join in the fight against the invasive predator threatening the UK’s pollinators.

By contributor Justine Halifax
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The Yellow-legged Asian Hornet is a non-native species that poses a “serious risk” to the UK’s honeybees and wild pollinators: One single nest can consume up to 11kg of native insects a year, devastating ecosystems and putting agriculture and biodiversity at risk.

Plea to help “galvanise action” in the wake of sightings rising

Reports show that there have been more than double the number of sightings recorded this year to date than by the same point in 2024.

See It! Snap It! App It! Midland residents urged to support campaign.
See It! Snap It! App It! Midlands residents urged to support campaign. Picture: South Staffordshire and District Beekeepers Association

The association's president, Wendy Woodward, said: “This year has seen a rise in reports, including a sighting in Shropshire, and numbers are expected to increase further through until late summer.

“We would like to urge residents to write to local MPs to help galvanise action over Yellow-legged Asian Hornets, and to further highlight ‘Yellow-legged Asian Hornet Week’.”

The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), supported by local associations like Staffordshire, is running a major awareness campaign during Asian Hornet Week, which includes “Yellow Socks Day” on September 5 and a tour of London on September 1.

“See it – Snap it – App It”

The campaign encourages the public to take three simple steps if they spot a suspected Asian Hornet: “See it – Snap it – App It” using the free Asian Hornet Watch app or report sightings via nonativespecies.org.

As well as writing to MPs, residents can further help by:

  • Raising awareness online: Share the BBKA’s posts (@britishbeekeepers) across social media platforms

  • Join Yellow Socks Day: On Friday, September 5, wear yellow knee-high socks or wellies to highlight the hornet’s distinctive feature and spark conversations

  • Follow the campaign launch: On September 1st, BBKA’s Asian Hornet Co-ordinator Lucie Chaumeton and trustee Luke Whyatt will tour London in a giant Asian Hornet suit – updates will be shared across social channels

The black and orange body of the non-native yellow-legged Asian Hornet, pictured left, differs from our native European Hornet, pictured right.
The black and orange body of the non-native yellow-legged Asian Hornet, pictured left, differs from our native European Hornet, pictured right.

“One of the biggest threats facing pollinators today”

Mrs Woodward added: “The Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet is one of the biggest threats facing our pollinators today. Without urgent public awareness and strong government support, we risk losing honeybees and countless native species that underpin our food system.

“Every sighting reported can make a difference in stopping their spread. By taking part in this appeal to lobby MPs, Staffordshire residents can play a vital role in safeguarding our region’s bees, biodiversity, and food security.”

For more information and resources, visit bbka.org.uk