UK warned over possible establishment of Asian hornets as nests surge

The United Kingdom is facing a potential establishment of the yellow-legged hornet after officials confirmed two second-generation nests this year, a signal that the species may be taking root in parts of Britain. Defra data show a sharp rise in nests found and destroyed, with 161 nests located in 2025 so far, compared with 24 in 2024. The hornet, Vespa velutina, preys on native pollinators and can deliver painful stings to humans, particularly those with allergies. The official analysis comes as scientists and beekeeping groups warn that the latest nest activity could mark a turning point in the fight against an invasive species that has spread across Western Europe since arriving in 2004.

Ian Campbell, a representative of the British Beekeepers Association, said the country is at a tipping point in efforts to prevent further spread. He noted that a single nest can consume more than 11 kilograms of insects per year and cautioned that the discovery of two second-generation nests this year signals the hornet’s growing foothold in Britain.

Defra has said there is not yet strong evidence of an established, reproducing population in Great Britain. The department is conducting laboratory tests to determine whether the species has established a permanent foothold. Earlier this year, DNA testing indicated that several queens found in the Southeast were likely offspring of two nests destroyed last year, consistent with a developing second generation. Government scientists stress that eradication remains the preferred approach, but they are prepared to shift strategies if establishment is confirmed, from elimination to containment.

The Asian hornet, first detected in the UK in 2016 after arriving in Europe from Asia, remains an invasive predator of honeybees and other pollinators. Experts say the hornet’s greatest impact is felt when nests are disturbed, prompting defensive stings. Queens can grow up to about 3 cm in length, with workers reaching roughly 2.5 cm, and a single nest can produce hundreds of queens for the following season. The species has historically been concentrated in the south and southeast of England, with Kent repeatedly identified as a hotspot due to its proximity to continental Europe.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) notes that the country has managed to keep the situation from becoming established through aggressive eradication efforts and new technologies, such as tracking devices used by APHA bee inspectors to locate nests more quickly. However, the year-over-year surge in nests underscores the threat posed to native pollinators and ecosystems if the hornet gains a stable, reproducing population.

Public awareness and reporting remain central to the ongoing campaign. People who suspect sightings are encouraged to use the Asian Hornet Watch app, which enables users to submit photos, dates, and locations for official investigation and nest destruction. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology also provides reporting pathways, and the Non-native Species Secretariat accepts submissions via email with photos. Distinguishing features include yellow-tipped legs, slender yellow stripes on the abdomen, and an orange face, which help separate the Asian hornet from the native European hornet, a species that is less aggressive toward healthy honey bee colonies.

Authorities stress that early eradication remains essential and that the public plays a critical role in detection. While individual hornets can sting, the immediate risk to most people is low; the danger rises when nests are disturbed. In the meantime, Defra and its partner agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, using laboratory testing and field surveillance to determine whether the hornet has become established in Britain and, if so, how containment measures should be adjusted. As of now, officials say there is no conclusive evidence of a reproducing population, but the rise in second-generation nests has amplified the sense of urgency among researchers, beekeepers, and rural communities alike.