THE National Bee Unit (NBU) is urging people to be vigilant and report any possible sightings of the invasive Asian hornet after a nest was found in New Alresford.

The next was destroyed on September 25 and the NBU, with support from local beekeepers, is continuing to search for further nests.

Although the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than a bee, the insect does pose a threat to honey bees.

Slightly smaller but wider than European hornets, and looking like a large wasp,the Asian hornet is predominantly black or dark brown, with a yellow-orange stripe near the end of the abdomen. It is a highly effective predator of insects, and can cause significant losses to bee colonies, and other native species.

Having first appeared in France in 2004, the island of Jersey has been overrun with Asian hornet nests this year, while on the mainland, solitary hornets have been spotted in Hull, Bury, Guildford and Liskeard.

Two further nests were also destroyed at Fowey in Cornwall last month, while a second Asian hornet nest was found and destroyed in Brockenhurst in the New Forest.

If you think that you have seen an Asian hornet, you can report it using the iPhone and Android app Asian Hornet Watch or by e-mailing [email protected]. Identification guides and more information are available at nonnativespecies.org/alerts.