Invasive Asian Hornets on the rise: five sightings in 2023 raise concerns

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is an invasive non-native species, which is believed to enter the country via ports, having caught a lift off lorries and cross-channel ferries from the continent where the species is established. 

Although not established in Britain, individual hornets or nests are occasionally identified and destroyed in the country.  Most recently in Gravesend, Kent, on 20 July 2023 when a small primary nest in a garden was destroyed. The risk of establishment is higher in the south of the country, with its warmer, milder climate.   

In total there have been five confirmed sightings of Asian hornet in the UK in 2023. There were 28 confirmed sightings since 2016 which includes 14 nests, all of which were destroyed.

Whilst the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to humans than native hornets or bees, it does pose a risk to native honeybees and insects. Asian hornets are predators of honeybees and there are fears that, if established in the UK, would result in a significant decline in the number of native honeybees.  

What does the Asian Hornet look like?

The Asian Hornet has a number of features making it easy to identify:

• Dark brown abdomen, with a yellow band on the 4th ‘segment’
• Head dark when viewed from above, or orange from front
• Dark-coloured antennae
• Legs yellow at the ends
• Queen up to 30mm long, worker up to 25mm long

Suspected sightings of the Asian hornet should be reported immediately to the Great British Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) immediately, by using this link.

Alternatively, sightings can be emailed to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk, complete with photos. 

The animal and plant health agency (APHA) will cover the costs of all eradication on private land.