Around 2004, the Asian or yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) was accidentally imported into southern France from China, and it has spread through western European countries with astonishing speed. Since 2016 there have been incursions into the UK, and these are becoming more frequent as the population on the continent increases in numbers. In 2023 72 nests were found in 56 locations, mainly in south-east England. It is unknown whether they are now established. Yellow-legged hornets cause three important problems for humans: they are voracious predators of native insects; they love eating bees, especially honey bees; and if a nest is accidentally disturbed they can be very aggressive, multiple stings sometimes resulting in hospitalisation and even death.

This handbook is the second edition of 'The Asian Hornet Handbook' and has been fully revised, expanded and restructured. It is a comprehensive and practical guide, bursting with new information from hornet identification to up-to-date scientific findings on yellow-legged hornet biology, behaviour and ecology. There are also sections on the spread of these insects, how they are dealt with in the UK and Europe, how to track hornets to find their nests, trapping, and other methods of control. Fascinating, readable and full of photos and illustrations, this is a book for beekeepers, naturalists, ecologists, outdoor workers (e.g. gardeners, forestry workers, leisure industry) and anyone interested in invasive alien species. References (over 200), Glossary and Index.