Asian hornet still a risk in 2024

Earlier this month the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) recorded the first confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet in 2024, near Ash, in Kent.  

During 2023 there were 62 Asian hornet nests found in 48 locations, the highest number since records began in 2016.  Whilst this led several media reports to suggest the pest is now established in the UK,  this has not been confirmed by Defra.

The majority of nests found during 2023 were in Kent, but nests were also found in Devon, Dorset, East Sussex, East Yorkshire, Essex, Hampshire, London, North Yorkshire, and Surrey. 

Asian hornets and their nests are regularly identified and destroyed during the summer months.  The risk of establishment is higher in the south of the country, as specimens enter the country via ports, having caught a lift off lorries and cross-channel ferries from the continent where the species is established.  The warmer, milder climate in the south of the country further aids establishment.

What does the Asian Hornet look like?

The Asian Hornet has a number of features which make 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  

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.  

Recommended action

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

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

Further reading

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs