Native European hornets are being “persecuted” by over vigilant gardeners who are mistaking them for their invasive Asian equivalent, a wildlife trust has warned.

Devon Wildlife Trust has said people have begun exterminating the European hornet (Vespa crabro) after confusing them for the predatory Asian hornet (Vespa velutina).

Unlike its home-grown equivalent, the Asian species is known to wreak havoc to honeybees, with the insects routinely raiding and destroying colonies.

Confirmed reports of Asian hornet nests in Devon and Cornwall have fuelled concerns among British beekeepers that the future of the honeybee is under threat.

Steve Hussey, Devon Wildlife Trust spokesman, said: “European hornets are a beautiful and vital part of our environment. They help us by helping to keep in check many insect species that gardeners consider to be pests.

“European hornets are also struggling and their persecution is one of the factors behind this recent decline. Other countries are now urgently acting to conserve their remaining hornets; in Germany, for example, since 1987 it has been illegal to destroy a hornet nest. We need to look after our native population too.”