A week or so ago I was woken at first light by what sounded like a drone crashing about in the bathroom. It was a European hornet, Vespa crabo, the gentle giant of the wasp family. Using a glass and a piece of paper I caught it and released it through the window.

Since then I've been asked many times about similar instances or told of giant flying beasties which ‘scared the life out of me’ or were ‘so loud it made me jump’. Where I've seen the creature concerned, it's always been a European hornet. These big wasps are big and a bit alarming but they are gentle and take a lot of provoking before they'll sting. So take a step back, be calm, and enjoy seeing such a stunning insect.

European hornet numbers have been steadily increasing since the sixties at which point they were deemed rare enough to be endangered. They're still considered so, despite the rise in population. This summer their numbers are particularly high so there is a good chance of seeing one.

The European hornet is a key pollinator and it preys on garden pests such as greenfly which are taken back to the nest to feed the young. Adult hornets eat a sugary substance exuded by the larvae. They'll also feast on sugary tree sap, fruit and carion.

There is another hornet, the Asian hornet, Vespa Velutina, which has arrived here from France. This hornet is no more of a risk to humans than the European hornet but it is bad news for bees and other pollinators on which it preys. This includes ‘hawking’, the seizing of the prey insect while in flight as well as nest destruction.

Defra and the National Bee Unit are working to ensure the invader doesn't get a foothold. Last year The National Bee Unit destroyed nests in 56 locations, all in the south east, most in Kent. At this time this hornet has not become established anywhere in the UK.

Please take a look at the identification information here so you can be sure which type of hornet you have found. Should it be an Asian hornet, this must be reported via the Asian Hornet Watch app or by email to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk