Species alerts
American bullfrog - Lithobates catesbeianus
Read more on American bullfrog and record suspected sightings (external link).
Further information on American bullfrog:
Black bullhead - Ameiurus melas
American Lobster - Homarus americanus
Read more on American lobster and record suspected sightings.
Further information on American lobster:
Monk parakeet - Myiopsitta monachus
Read more on monk parakeet and record suspected sightings (external link).
Further information on monk parakeet:
Raccoon - Procyon lotor
Read more on raccoon and record suspected sightings (external link).
Further information on raccoon:
- Gallery of images
- Risk assessment (PDF)
- NNSIP factsheet for racoon
Raccoon dog - Nyctereutes procyonoides
Ruddy duck - Oxyura jamaicensis
Read more on ruddy duck and record suspected sightings (external link).
Further information on ruddy duck:
- Identification sheet (PDF)
- Gallery of images
- Listen to this species
- NNSIP factsheet for ruddy duck
Sacred ibis - Threskiornis aethiopicus
Read more on sacred ibis and record suspected sightings (external link).
Further information on sacred ibis:
- Identification sheet (PDF)
- Gallery of images
- Risk assessment (PDF)
- NNSIP factsheet for sacred ibis
Siberian chipmunk - Tamias sibiricus
Read more on Siberian chipmunk and record suspected sightings (external link).
Further information on Siberian chipmunk:
Topmouth Gudgeon - Pseudorasbora parva
Read more on topmouth gudgeon and record suspected sightings (external link).
Further information on topmouth gudgeon:
- Gallery of images
- Risk assessment (PDF)
- NNSIP factsheet for topmouth gudgeon
Japanese sting winkle - Ocenebra inornata
Read more on Japanese sting winkle and record suspected sightings (external link).
Marbled Crayfish - Procambarus fallax f. virginalis
Read more on marbled crayfish and record suspected sightings (external link).
Carolina fanwort - Cabomba caroliniana
Read more on Carolina fanwort and record suspected sightings (external link).
Further information on Carolina fanwort:
- Identification sheet (PDF)
- Gallery of images
- NNSIP factsheet for Carolina fanwort
Chilean needle-grass - Nassella neesiana
Read more on Chilean needle-grass and record suspected sightings (external link).
Purple pitcher plant - Sarracenia purpurea
Read more on purple pitcher plant and record suspected sightings (external link) .
Sea myrtle - Baccharis halimifolia
Various-leaved watermilfoil - Myriophyllum heterophyllum
Read more on various-leaved watermilfoil and record suspected sightings (external link).
Water Primrose - Ludwigia grandiflora
An invasive non-native plant from South America which has become a serious pest in other countries, including France, where it smothers water bodies reducing the numbers of native species and potentially increasing the risk of flooding.
It has started to be found in some parts of England and Wales.
If you think you've seen it, check with our water primrose identification sheet (PDF).
Sightings should be reported through the online recording form for water primrose (external link). However you can also email us to report a water primrose sighting.
Further information on water primrose:
Asian hornet - Vespa velutina
This is a species alert:
Vespa velutina, also known as the Asian hornet is an invasive non-native species from Asia. It arrived in France in 2004 where it spread rapidly. As a highly effective predator of insects, including honey bees and other beneficial species, it can cause significant losses to bee colonies, and potentially other native species.
A number of sightings have been recorded in the UK since 2016, find the latest information on Defra's Asian hornet rolling news page (external link).
It is important to report any suspected sightings of this species as soon as possible. Find out how to identify Asian hornet by downloading an Asian hornet identification guide (PDF), or visit the BeeBase website (external link).
Vigilance is particularly required in southern parts of England and Wales and around major ports. The Asian hornet is active mainly between April and November (peak August/September) and is inactive over the winter.
Ideally sightings should be sent in via the Asian Hornet Watch app or the online recording form using the links below:
- Asian Hornet Watch app for iPhone (external link)
- Asian Hornet Watch app for android (external link)
- Online recording form for Asian hornet (external link)
However, you can also email us to report an Asian hornet sighting. Please send a photograph and location details.
Do not under any circumstances disturb or provoke an active hornets’ nest.
Asian Hornet resources:
Email us to request free hard copies of the Asian hornet alert poster and identification sheet.
- Asian hornet alert poster (PDF)
- Welsh language Asian hornet alert poster (PDF)
- Asian hornet identification sheet (PDF)
- Welsh language Asian hornet identification sheet (PDF)
- BWARS Asian hornet information sheet (PDF)
- Asian hornet risk assessment (PDF)
- Asian hornet awareness and identification booklet (PDF)
The BeeBase website (external link) has guidance for beekeepers (external link).
[Image courtesy of Jean Haxaire]