Southampton residents are being told to look out for Asian Hornets after a large nest was discovered in a cemetery.
Volunteers are calling on residents to 'look up' over the coming weeks as they search for any Asian Hornet nests they missed during the summer.
It comes after experts swooped on the Old Cemetery near The Common in September after the discovery of a large nest in a tree.
The nest was poisoned and cut down before being sent off to a lab for research, but Asian hornet coordinator for Hampshire Beekeepers' Association, Alan Baxter, said some hornets could remain.
He said: "The recent discovery of a large Yellow-Legged Asian hornet's nest in Southampton - thought to the one of the largest found this year - is evidence that Hampshire remains very much on the frontline of the incursion of this invasive species.
"The continuing vigilance of the public is vital in the fight to stope the spread of prevent this invasive species from becoming established in this country.
“As we head further into autumn, please take a moment to look at the trees around you to see if you can spot any nests that might have been missed during the summer.
"This will help us to determine the locations where we need to focus our attentions next spring.
“Your reports, like the one in Southampton this year, go a long way towards helping to prevent this destructive insect from becoming established in the UK.”
READ MORE: One of UK's biggest Asian hornet nests found in Southampton
It is thought that nests that were previously covered by foliage could be exposed during autumn.
This year has been the second worst on record for Asian Hornets since the invasive species was first discovered in the UK in 2016 with 19 nests found and destroyed so far.
This is below 2023’s total figure of 72 nests but experts are warning that 'Hampshire remains on the frontline' with several sightings and nests having been reported.
Yellow-Legged Asian hornets are voracious predators of honey bees and other pollinators, meaning their establishment could have a significant impact on the wider ecosystem.
They can be identified by their distinct markings and are smaller than the native European hornet, with a dark body, an orange/yellow band around their abdomen, and orange/yellow face and yellow-tipped legs.
Secondary Asian hornet nests at this time of year can be up to 60cm wide and 80cm tall, and will typically be seen in the tops of trees, but may be found in hedges or buildings.
Asian hornets can react aggressively if they perceive a threat to their nest, so they should not be approached.
Anyone who thinks they have spotted a nest should take a photo from a safe distance, and report the sighting on the official Asian Hornet Watch app or via the online reporting form: https://risc.brc.ac.uk/alert.php?species=asian_hornet.
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