Asian Hornet Page

Welcome to the Asian Hornet identification and reporting page of T&TVBKA. The the aim of this page is to help people confirm a sighting of an Asian Hornet and in the event of a positive identification to help compile evidence to send to the Non Native Species Secretariat.

To help verify that you have seen an Asian hornet, can you please check your sighting against the various images shown below as the Asian hornet has been confused with a number of similar but different species of hornets, bees and wasps.

If after viewing the images you think you have seen an Asian hornet, even if you're not sure, please fill in the Asian hornet sighting form below. The information you supply will be sent to the T&TVBKA Asian Hornet Action Team (AHAT) whereupon someone will contact you regarding your sighting,

Asian hornet

European hornet

Asian vs European hornet comparison

Asian hornet (Vespa velutina)
 Queen up to 30mm long, worker up to 25mm long
 Legs yellow at the ends
 Dark brown / black abdomen with a yellow / orange band on 4th segment
 Head dark from above, orange from front
 Dark coloured antennae
 Entirely black velvety thorax
 Never active at night

European hornet (Vespa crabro)
 Queen up to 35mm long, worker up to 30mm long
 Legs brown at the ends
 Yellow abdomen marked with brown on the upper part, not banded
 Head yellow from above, yellow from front
 Yellow antennae
 Thorax black with extensive brown markings
 May be active at night

Other species confused with Vespa velutina

This is a hornet hover fly (Volucella zonaria). Almost 2 cm long, it is actually a fly. Note the large eyes and it has only two wings. It looks aggressive but is harmless. The larvae of the hoverfly can live in wasps' nests without being stung. Hoverflys eat the debris in wasps' nests.

This is a species of common wasp. Smaller than both the European hornet and the Asian hornet. More yellow than the Asian hornet.

Asian hornet sighting form


    It would help if you have a photograph/image of the hornet.