Warning after first Asian hornet nest found in Wales

NEST of invasive Asian hornets has been found for the first time in Wales.

- OWEN HUGHES

An Asian yellow-legged hornet

(ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY/CROWN COPYRIGHT)

The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) is an insect species that is invasive to Europe, having been introduced into France some 20 years ago.

It is often found in southern England during the summer months after first being detected in 2016, and in recent years has been spreading north across the UK.

They are highly aggressive hornets around 3cm long with an entirely black or brown body and distinctive yellow legs.

The hornets feed on more than 1,000 species, including honey bees, bumblebees, butterflies and beetles.

Now a nest has been found near Wrexham, in the first confirmed discovery of the insect in Wales.