The invertebrate survey season is drawing to a close but still there are things to find. I had just recorded my first Ivy Bees in one part of my regular patch walk when I came across this European Hornet basking on a leaf.
Despite their size, European Hornets are usually docile and if left alone pose no threat to humans. They feed on many insects including many Garden pests.
There has been much attention on the recent sightings in the UK of the Asian Hornet. This is smaller than the European Hornet, has yellow legs, lack of yellow banding on upper abdomen and lacks the yellow band on the top of the head. These is an invasive species which can in high densities pose a threat to native insect life including bee hives. Sightings of Asian Hornet should be reported to centre for ecology and hydrology (risc.brc.ac.uk) for further investigation.
Pete's Favourite Things 
Hornets always look ferocious. Our bald-faced hornet in the US has a scary face. I have been able to approach them closely with no harm to me so far. Not that it’s safe to provoke them. We do have the Asian hornet in some parts of the US now. They attack honeybee hives, which is a problem for apiarists. The European hornet has been in North America since sometime around the 1850s. They’re pretty much here to stay.