The Asian hornet is a highly effective predator of insects, including honeybees and other beneficial species, which can cause significant losses to bee colonies, and potentially other native species.
The Asian hornet is active mainly between April and November (peak August/September) and is inactive over the winter.
There has been a total of 77 confirmed sightings of Asian hornet in the UK since 2016 (54 in 2023). This figure includes a total of 75 nests, all of which were destroyed.
Read more on GOV.UK: Guidance - Asian Hornet UK sightings.
How to report sightings
It is important to report any suspected sightings as soon as possible, so experts can take quick action. Read Species alerts advice from the Great Britain Non-Native Species Secretariat on how to spot and report Asian hornets.