There have been a record 104 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets since the start of this year, figures show. A staggering total of 82 nests have also been found and destroyed. This compares to 2024 when 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 along south coast counties, particularly Kent and Sussex. 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 comes after warnings from nearby Jersey, where more than 500 nests have been found. That is four times the number found last year. Each nest can house up to 10,000 hornets
Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, 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 (BBKA) is very worried about the influx of these “non-native predators” which it said can wipe out honey bee colonies and devastate native insect populations.
A single hornet can kill between 60 to 90 honeybees in a day. Groups of the critters 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 below
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. The hornets were found in the UK for the first time in Tetbury, Gloucestershire in 2016.
The BBKA is urging everyone to report any sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app. A spokesperson for the Association 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 devices – online at irecord.org.uk/enter-non-native-records or by emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk.
For guidance on how to report and spot Asian hornets, visit nonnativespecies.org