Southampton grandfather catches 'gigantic' European hornet

On Saturday, Rod Gates, 80, was out in the garden fitting some new outdoor LED lights to his garden plant pots when his wife began calling his name and waving her hands from inside their house in Sholing.

The 80-year-old said: “I was out in the garden and the missus shouted for me and told me to come inside.

“She kept telling me to hurry up and I couldn't see what the fuss was about… until I got inside."

He added: "When I got in there, I could not believe my eyes. I could not believe the size of it.

“I was completely amazed. When I was younger, I was in the army and I travelled to places like Malaysia - and I have never seen a hornet that big in my life.

“I always keep a net around for the grandkids when we go fishing or crabbing. I sometimes use it to catch flies or what not, but it really came in handy.

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“It took me a minute, but I was able to catch it in the net and get it into a small jar.”

The critter proved to be a European hornet; native to the UK, it is an endangered species and far less dangerous than their invasive Asian cousins.

Rob said that his biggest concern was that the giant hornet would sting his small dog - although European Hornet stings are not deadly for those without allergies and are akin to a wasp or bee sting.

The Sholing resident of 12-years added: “If these gigantic bugs are going to start flying into the home, I do get a bit concerned.”

This comes after European hornets have been sighted in Romsey and Bishop's Waltham in recent weeks.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has said there is nothing to fear, with a spokesperson adding: “The European hornet may look more fearsome than their bee and wasp cousin.

“However, it is rarely aggressive, they are likely to only attack if they feel threatened.

“The simplest way to manage a European hornet nest is to leave it alone until cold weather forces them to die or move on.”