This year, the majority of sightings around the UK have been in the South East, particularly in Kent and Sussex
Britain has been invaded by Asian hornets this summer – with twice as many sightings of the bee-killing pest as ever before. Since the start of this year, there have been a record 104 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, including two cases in London which were both in Ilford and plenty in commuter towns around Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
That figure of confirmed Asian hornet sightings includes 82 nests that have been found and destroyed. Last year, there were 40 confirmed sightings and 24 nests destroyed. The previous record was in 2023, when there were 57 sightings and 73 nests destroyed.
This year, the majority of sightings have been in the South coast, particularly in Kent and Sussex, but hornets have also been seen in Hampshire, London, Dorset, Surrey, Shropshire, and even as far north as Cheshire.
This year’s record total of UK sightings follows warnings from nearby Jersey, where more than 500 nests have been found, four times the number found last year – with each nest housing up to 10,000 hornets. Jersey, the largest Channel Island, has become the frontline in the battle to prevent a full-scale infestation.
The invasive insects first arrived from mainland Europe nine years ago and are now firmly established. The British Beekeepers Association is very worried about the influx of these “non-native predators that can wipe out honey bee colonies and devastate native insect populations”.
A single hornet can kill between 60 to 90 honeybees in a day, and groups of them will “hawk” a hive at any one time by decimating the bees. Unlike species with more specialised diets, they are opportunistic hunters – feeding on some 1,400 different insect species including honey bees, bumble bees, butterflies, hoverflies and beetles.
You can see if any Asian hornets have been spotted near you using our interactive map
Originally from Asia, they were first recorded in Europe in France in 2004 when it is believed a hornet arrived in a shipment of pottery from China. In 2016, the hornets were found in the UK for the first time in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. The BBKA is now urging everyone to report any sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app.
A spokesperson for the BBKA said: “It is important not to approach or disturb a nest, as although they are not generally aggressive towards people, they can be if they perceive a threat.”
Asian hornets are slightly smaller than European hornets and can be identified by their distinct markings. They have yellow legs, an orange face, and a dark black/ brown body with one yellow or orange stripe on the lower abdomen.
Sightings can be reported via the Asian Hornet Watch app – which is available to download for Android and Apple device – online or by emailing [email protected]. Additional guidance on how to report and spot Asian hornets.
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