Asian Hornets, also known as Asian predatory wasps, have been spotted in Kent, marking a concerning development for British Honey Bees.

The British Bee Keepers Association confirmed the sighting on Thursday, April 13, within the Folkestone area.

A spokesperson for the National Bee Unit says the hornet “flew off before it could be captured”.

Qualified beekeeper Sue Kittle says that the hornets are “very defensive” of their hives and can do what is called a “mass attack”.

She told Kent Online: “You should not approach their nests.

"This is an invasive species that can attack and eat our honey bees.

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“It can change the whole nature of the bee hives here.

“We need to track them down and find out if this sighting is the beginning of a nest.

"Last year was a fantastic year for hornets in France.

“It is possible they hibernated over the winter and have come across the Channel. It also could have been stowed away on a lorry, but we don’t know yet."

The Asian Hornets are usually twice the size of a bee, and their stomachs are commonly dark brown or black – however the fourth body segment will have a wide orange stripe.

"Experts have warned the public to not attempt to disturb a nest, as the Asian Hornets are known to defend their home nests with aggression.

The vespids are said to have accidentally travelled through Europe in 2004 after being located in France.

According to last year reports, the species were spotted in the British Isles in 2016 after being spotted on Jersey and Guernsey.

In April, reports say that five people died in France after being stung by the Asian Hornet species.

A spokesperson for the British Bee Keepers Association said: “On Thursday April 13 the National Bee Unit received a credible Asian hornet sighting from the Folkestone area, with accompanying photographs. The hornet flew off before it could be captured.

“The details from the report suggest this was a single hornet incursion.

“Beekeepers in the area and volunteer Asian hornet teams will be asked to maintain vigilance and monitor for Asian hornet.”