The Asian Hornet is a highly aggressive predator which poses a significant threat to honey bees and other pollinators in the UK. Numbers of the destructive insect are rising rapidly in 2023 and more have been detected in the UK this year than in the previous six years combined.

Just one Asian Hornet can hunt down and eat 30 - 50 honey bees a day and their habit of hawking (hovering) outside the hive stops the bees from collecting nectar and pollen to feed themselves.

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UK Sightings

Between 2016 and 2022 there have been 23 confirmed sightings in the UK including 14 nests. The first Asian Hornet in the UK was discovered in 2016.

See the NBU Asian Hornet rolling news page for details of the 2023 sightings and the latest updates.

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Identification

This is an Asian Hornet: 

See our identification page for further information and details of other insects which are often confused with the Asian Hornet.

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See it!  Snap it!  Send it!

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Reporting

It is crucial that all potential sightings are reported so experts can take quick and effective action to eradicate Asian Hornets.

The best way to report any sightings is via the 'Asian Hornet Watch' app:

See our reporting page for alternative ways to report sightings.

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‘Courtesy The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Crown Copyright’.

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