Are Asian Hornets Invading the UK and Europe?

Watch out, honeybees

- Dr. Adam Hart

The first thing it is important to make clear is that when we talk about Asian hornets we are using a 'common name'. Common names can cause confusion. For example, when someone in the UK calls a bird a 'robin' they are referring to the small, crimson-breasted bird on Christmas cards, but in the USA 'robin' refers to a larger species of thrush. Likewise, 'Asian hornet' is often applied to two species of large social wasp. Only one of these species is relevant to Europe, but both hornet species are invasive.