Endangered European hornet spotted in Basingstoke garden

A resident, who captured the images, said it was seen among bees in his garden in Bach Close.

Images of the rare insect were captured by Andy Oram, 62, who is a keen gardener and has a bee hive in his back garden.

It comes after similar sightings in Romsey and Bishop’s Waltham earlier this year.

READ MORE: European hornet spotted in Romsey as sightings spike

Images of the European hornet captured by Basingstoke resident Andy Oram (Image: Andy Oram)

“It was just so big against the bees,” Mr Oram said.

“It was unreal. I was like, ‘What on Earth, is that?’ But I didn't want to get too close. So getting a picture of it was quite difficult, because it was moving. But you could tell it was very big. It wasn't aggressive. It was just going about its business. And I find it with all insects. If you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone.”

Mr Oram hasn’t seen the hornet since he last spotted it in the last week of May.

He said he didn’t know it was a European hornet recently, but confirmed it by doing further research.

“The first time I saw it, I just didn't know what it was,” Mr Oram said.

“I tried to snap a couple of photos, but they weren't very good. So I asked my cousin whose father was a beekeeper. She then asked me to get a better picture. And then when I saw it again, I managed to get a better picture and looked on Google. I'd also read recently that there were European hornet sightings in Eastleigh.

“Obviously it is moving around or maybe they're breeding.”

According to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, there is nothing to fear about European hornets.

Although they are becoming increasingly more common as the UK’s native hornet, European hornets an endangered species.

A spokesperson from the trust said: “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.

“Minimising outdoor night lighting will also help to avoid attracting them.

“The European hornet is mostly pale yellow with black stripes on its abdomen. Its head is yellow and red, whilst its thorax and legs are black/reddish brown.

“Some other insects, including the hornet moth and hornet mimic hoverfly, are completely harmless but have copied the European hornet’s appearance; a clever strategy to give the impression of danger.”

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Hornets are active between May and November which may account for their recent sightings.

The hornet queen is the sole survivor of a UK winter and emerge as the weather finally starts to warm up in early spring.

Unlike other members of the wasp family, hornets are attracted to light.

This behavioural trait means that on warm light evenings, they may be fly to a well-lit dwelling if their nest is nearby.