A suspected yellow-legged hornet sighting in the Isles of Scilly has prompted an urgent investigation by wildlife and government officials.
If confirmed, it would mark the first presence of the invasive species on the islands. Native to parts of Asia, the hornet is known to prey on bees, social wasps, spiders and other insects, raising fears for local ecosystems.
A naturalist reported the hornet on Tresco, one of the five inhabited islands. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust confirmed the report and warned of the potential ecological damage. “If these hornets establish themselves here, it could be a tragedy. Island habitats are incredibly special and sensitive. We must act quickly to protect them,” said the trust’s Jay Cowen.
A team from the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit, which works with Defra, has been deployed to investigate. An APHA spokesperson said: “We are currently investigating reported sightings of yellow-legged hornets on the Isles of Scilly. Our highly skilled staff work around the clock to tackle the threat, including destroying nests, whilst carefully tracking this activity. We urge the public to remain vigilant and continue to report any potential sightings to us.”
Wildlife experts warned the hornets could devastate local honeybee populations and rare migrant moths. The insects are known to wait outside hives, attacking returning worker bees before breaching colonies to feed on larvae.
The Wildlife Trust urged residents and visitors to report sightings immediately to the National Bee Unit or the trust, stressing the importance of stopping the species from becoming established.
