Asian hornets have been spotted in the UK throughout the summer this year.
Most recently one was found in Kent on Monday, September 9 and another was discovered a week earlier in Tamworth, Staffordshire.
There have been a total of 16 sightings in the UK in the last three years. And seven nests have also been destroyed.
The government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued advice on what to do when you see an Asian hornet and why you should report it, the MEN reports .
They say that the species poses no greater risk to human health than other hornets or bees, however they pose a huge threat to honey bees and pollinating insects - capable of eating up to 50 honey bees in a single day.
The government website adds: "We are keen to stop this insect establishing in the UK."
How to report an Asian hornet
If you think you've spotted an Asian hornet, then you should report it. You can use the 'Asian Hornet Watch' app which is easily accessbile for both iPhone and Android.
You can also report sightings by email: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk - include information on location, date and number of Asian hornets you have seen, and if possible, include a photo to help the experts identify the insect.
Alternatively, you can fill out an online report form .
What if you see a Asian hornet nest?
Disturbing and trying to remove an Asian hornet nest can cause them to become aggressive, according to reports in other countries.
As as result the government advises that if you do find a nest, do not remove it yourself as it can be dangerous.
Instead leave it to the experts.
When a sighting is confirmed, experts from the National Bee Unit (NBU) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will work to find and destroy any active nests in the area.
What does an Asian hornet look like?
Compared to native European hornets, these measure 2.5-3.5 cm in length compared to Asian hornets that are a little smaller at 2-3cm. European hornets have dark legs, while Asian hornets have yellow legs towards the foot.
Asian hornets have a dark brown or black velvety body and have a yellow or orange band on the fourth segment of the abdomen.
The insects native to Asia usually nest in open places like tree tops, whereas European hornets nest in dark places like roof spaces. They also fly at night, whereas Asian hornets never do and are not active during this time.
Although all hornets look similar to wasps and bees, a hornet sting is more painful because their venom contains a larger amount of acetylcholine.
If you're allergic to wasp venom, then you'll also be allergic to hornet stings.
It is known as an 'invasive species', which means it is not native to a specific location, and sightings of them have been recorded on different continents.
It first arrived in France in 2004 where it spread rapidly. By 2011 it had spread to parts of Spain and Portugal.
The first confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet in the UK was in 2016.
As a highly effective predator of insects, including honey bees and other beneficial species, it can cause significant losses to bee colonies, and potentially other native species.
