The epicentre for an Asian hornet invasion of the UK has been revealed. Official government figures show eight of the 13 sightings this year of the highly invasive species, which could decimate native insects like bees, have been in Kent. The British Beekeepers’ Association also reported six further sightings in April, four of which were in the county renowned for its strawberries, apples and hops.
And pest controllers are warning the species is making its way north with one being spotted in Shropshire this year for the first time. Yellow-legged hornets, formally called Asian hornets, are highly aggressive and a predator of smaller, native insects. Niall Gallagher, technical manager at the British Pest Controllers Association, said: “These invaders are a predator of honey bees and could disrupt our native eco-systems and impact crop production.
“If you discover a European hornet nest, we always recommend seeking help from a BPCA member, especially if it is indoors, or in a difficult place to access.” He added: “The primary reason yellow-legged hornets are sighted in Kent is likely due to them being introduced on freight or other vehicles. There’s also the risk of hornets being blown ashore from Europe.
“With Kent being the first area where they land, it is the first place for them to establish their colonies, where they can integrate into the local ecosystem. From Kent, we’ll see numbers increase throughout the UK once they can become established and over-winter. This is why it’s so essential for everyone to report any sightings through the Asian Hornet Watch App.”
The first confirmed sighting this year was by a beekeeper in Oswestry, Shropshire, who found a single yellow-legged hornet in imported shallots on January 23. In Kent, the invader has been found in Canterbury, Appledore, Langley, Folkestone, Sandwich and Nonington, as well as in Hampshire and East Sussex.
The so-called Garden of England recorded more than half of all sightings last year – 44 out of 71.
● To report a possible sighting, download the Asian Hornet Watch app, go to nonnativespecies.org/asianhornet or email
alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk