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 rose rapidly in 2023 and more were detected in the UK 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

The first Asian Hornet in the UK was discovered in 2016. Between 2016 and 2022 there have been 23 confirmed sightings in the UK including 14 nests.  In 2023 there were 72 Asian Hornet nests found in 56 locations.

 

                                                 

Full details of confirmed sightings in 2023 can be found on Defra's Asian Hornet sightings page.

Please also see the NBU Asian Hornet rolling news page for 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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We are actively planning a number of publicity campaigns to help raise awareness with the general public.  We need the help of the general public to look out for Asian Hornets and to report all potential sightings if we are going to stand any chance of preventing them from becoming established in the UK.  We need your help to raise funds so we can reach as many people as possible.

Any funds you can give will be helping our pollinators in a very real way!

DONATE NOW

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

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