PEOPLE in Dorset are urged to be on the lookout for an invasive species which could be coming to the county.

The first sighting of an Asian hornet in the UK was recorded in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, earlier this week, and experts are warning that more are now likely to be found, particularly in southern counties.

The British Pest Control Association is calling on people who discover them to act responsibly.

The hornet, said to pose a real threat to our native species of bees, is already common across Europe and officials anticipating its arrival in this country for several years have set up a protocol designed to get rid of them.

Simon Forrester, chief executive of the BPCA, said: “Professional pest controllers have been aware of the threat posed by Asian hornets, alongside other invasive species, for some time.

“The BPCA and its members form the first alert to these threats and are often called in to deal with such pests.

“The first sighting will almost certainly not be the last, but if people report them sensibly then major problems can be avoided.

“Our members will do everything they can to maintain the health of our honey bee population and can be called upon to deal sensitively with any situation that arises.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has set up a three-mile surveillance zone and a ‘species alert’ has been issued.

Nicola Spence, Defra’s deputy director for plant and bee health, said: “We have been anticipating the arrival of the Asian hornet for some years and have a well-established protocol in place to eradicate them and control any potential spread.

“It’s important to remember they pose no greater risk to human health than a bee, though we recognise the damage they can cause to honeybee colonies. That’s why we are taking swift and robust action to identify and destroy any nests.”

The distinctive hornet, smaller than the native species, is most likely to be found in southern parts of England and could also be accidentally imported among goods such as soil with pot plants, cut flowers, fruit and timber.

Its active months are between April and November though its inactive over the winter.

Sightings should be sent with a photograph and local details to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk

What does it look like?

Smaller than our native European Hornet species, they have an almost entirely dark abdomen except for the fourth segment which is yellow.

Bright yellow tips to legs (native hornet dark)

Entirely brown or black thorax (native hornet more orange)

Workers can be up to 25mm in length.