Asian Hornet Sightings in the UK
102 Confirmed Sightings Since 2016
Record Numbers Raise Concerns
Since the first Asian hornet sighting in the UK in 2016, there have been 102 confirmed sightings. The highest numbers were recorded in 2022, with 66 sightings. The National Bee Unit has expressed concerns about the potential catastrophic consequences for the UK's bee population, as Asian hornets pose a significant threat to honeybees and other pollinators. The Asian hornet is slightly smaller than the native hornets found in the UK, with a distinctive black and yellow body. It is a voracious predator, capable of killing large numbers of bees in a short period. To date, there have been 15 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets in the UK in 2023, with a total of 118 sightings since 2016. Genetic analysis has revealed three Asian hornet queens trapped last year to be of the same genetic lineage, indicating a single incursion event in 2016. However, the subsequent widespread sightings suggest additional introductions. The National Bee Unit recommends that anyone spotting an Asian hornet report it immediately to the Non-Native Species Secretariat. With the public's help, it is hoped that the spread of this invasive species can be contained and its impact on the UK's bee population minimized.
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