An outbreak of Asian hornets has been successfully contained by bee inspectors who promptly tracked down and destroyed their nest in Gloucestershire.
Asian hornets were first discovered in the Tetbury area in September, but the National Bee Unit moved swiftly to find the nest and remove it.
No further live Asian hornets have been seen since the nest was treated with pesticide and removed in early October.
Two dead Asian hornets were discovered in separate locations close by in north Somerset, but no nests or live hornets have been located by inspectors and there have been no further sightings.
Asian hornets pose no greater risk to human health than a bee, though they are a threat to honey bee colonies. The species arrived in France in 2004 and is now common across large areas of Europe. It was discovered for the first time in the British Isles in Jersey and Alderney this summer.
It is possible Asian hornets could reappear in England next year and members of the public are urged to report any suspected sightings in the spring.
NFU acting chief horticulture adviser Chris Hartfield said the first finding of this "new serious" pest of honeybees represents a "worrying time" for bee farmers and beekeepers.
"Robust control measures are already in place, so let’s hope it’s a limited outbreak that can be quickly contained and controlled," said Mr Hartfield.
