Asian Hornet

The Asian Hornet, known for its aggressive predatory behavior, has become a major concern for honey bees and other pollinators in the UK. In 2023, the population of this harmful insect surged, with more sightings in the UK than the total of the past six years. An individual Asian Hornet can consume 30 to 50 honey bees daily. Additionally, their practice of hawking, or hovering near beehives, prevents bees from gathering essential nectar and pollen.

What does the Asian Hornet look like?

Slightly smaller than native European hornet.
Asian Hornet queens are up to 3 cm in length; workers up to 25 mm
Dark abdomen, 4th segment yellow
Bright yellow tips to legs (native hornet dark)
Entirely brown or black thorax (native hornet more orange).

Monitoring and Trapping

It is illegal to trap and release an alien species. This means it is illegal to trap and release an Asian Hornet.

Monitoring traps can be used in the spring or late summer especially around risk points such as ports or areas where nests have occurred previously.

It is encouraged to trap and kill Asian Hornets using monitoring traps to confirm identity and assess via NBU their origin.

Do not approach Asian Hornet nests. Asian Hornets are extremely defensive when the nest is approached.