Beekeepers across Britain are facing an unprecedented challenge this year as Asian hornet sightings surge to record levels. So far in 2024, 39 credible reports of the aggressive yellow-legged hornet have been recorded, significantly surpassing previous years. Confirmed lab tests have verified 30 encounters to date, with others pending confirmation.
First detected in Gloucestershire in 2016, Asian hornets have rapidly spread, with the majority of recent confirmed sightings concentrated in Kent. Additional reports have emerged from Sussex, Hampshire, and even as far north as Mordon in County Durham, highlighting the pest’s expanding range.
This year, nine Asian hornet nests have already been destroyed, following a record 72 nests eradicated across the UK in 2023. The National Bee Unit and the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) warn that these hornets are a severe threat to native honey bees and other pollinators. A single hornet can kill between 60 to 90 bees daily, and groups of hornets relentlessly hunt hives, devastating bee populations.
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Easily identifiable by their dark bodies, wide orange stripes on the abdomen, yellow legs, and orange faces, Asian hornets differ from native European hornets in size and coloring. Originating from Asia, the species first appeared in Europe in 2004, likely hitching a ride in shipped goods. Their arrival in the UK in 2016 marked the start of ongoing efforts to monitor and control their spread.
The BBKA urges the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings using the free Asian Hornet Watch app available on Android and Apple devices. Experts advise against approaching or disturbing nests, as hornets may become aggressive if provoked, although they generally avoid humans.
To report sightings, individuals can also use the iRecord website or email [email protected]. Public involvement is crucial in managing this invasive species and protecting the vital honey bee populations that underpin Britain’s ecosystems and agriculture.