Asian hornet sample for identification

I think we all underestimate how important it is to

clearly recognise the Asian hornet

Image used from: https://www.vespavelutina.co.uk/

So many times the press get it wrong and this could have a detrimental effect on the all important early detection and identification of the yellow legged Asian hornet! Newspapers are constantly putting up FALSE images of the insect which will only create confusion.

I have lost count of the times I have contacted the likes of the sun and the daily mail etc by email advising them that they have the wrong pictures and re-directing them to a correct image! TBC

As an example, on 24th June 2019 The Devon online news reported "MONSTER hornet captured on camera" As you can see from the image... It's not a Vespa velutina at all! The image shows a Vespa mandarinia.​

Image used from: https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/another-giant-hornet-been-spotted-3039468

To avoid any confusion you could visit 
https://www.vespavelutina.co.uk/asianhornet.html and see actual images of the Asian hornet.​

Alternatively you can buy a sample of a preserved Asian hornet from Galicia. Or a set of samples consisting of Queen, worker and drone.   These samples can help to identify the Asian hornet that has arrived in the UK and be better informed.