More Asian hornets have been spotted than ever before in Britain, with beekeepers calling on the public to help detect the ‘highly aggressive predator’ this summer
Britain is braced for a record year of invasive Asian hornets, with more sightings of the yellow-legged killer pest so far this year than ever before.
The species are believed to have arrived in France on a shipment from China in 2004, and ever since have posed a serious threat to the UK’s native insects, including honey bees. As well as their differing appearance from wasps and other hornets with their yellow legs, they are more likely to aggressively sting unprovoked.
As of June, 30 sightings of bee-killing Asian hornets have been confirmed by lab tests. However, according to the National Bee Unit, 39 “credible” sightings have been reported so far this year, with more awaiting confirmation.
At this point in 2024, there had been 20 sightings of Asian hornets, while at this stage of 2023, there had been just four. Of the most recent confirmed sightings, the vast majority have been in Kent, but hornets have also been captured in Sussex and Hampshire.
However, one of the sightings still awaiting lab confirmation was made as far north as Mordon in County Durham. The National Bee Unit says nine Asian hornet nests have been destroyed already this year.
Last year, 24 nests were found and destroyed. In 2023, a record 72 hornet nests were destroyed.
The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is calling for help from the public to help detect this “highly aggressive predator which causes a significant risk to honey bees and other pollinators in the UK”.
Beekeepers are worried because 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. Yellow-legged Asian hornets are easily identifiable due to their very dark body and wide orange stripes on the fourth abdominal segment.
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 at irecord.org.uk/enter-non-native-records or by emailing [email protected].
For guidance on how to report and spot Asian hornets, you can head online here.