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Invasive Asian Hornets Threaten UK Honeybees as Sightings Surge
5 Nov
Summary
- Hundreds of Asian hornets killed an American and his son in Laos
- 429 credible sightings and 112 nests reported in the UK as of September 2025
- Asian hornets pose a "significant threat" to native UK honeybees
As of November 2025, the UK is facing a growing crisis with the rapid spread of the invasive Asian hornet. Environmentalists and beekeepers have sounded the alarm, reporting an "unprecedented" surge in sightings of these dangerous insects over the past year.
According to the latest figures from the National Bee Unit, there have been 429 credible sightings and 112 nests discovered across the UK as of September 2025. The Asian hornet, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia, is now posing a "significant threat" to the country's native honeybee population.
The threat is not limited to the UK, however. Earlier this summer, two Asian hornet nests were found and destroyed in the Cork area of Ireland, and an Asian hornet was spotted in Northern Ireland for the first time. Tragically, the invasive species has also claimed lives abroad - an American teacher and his teenage son were killed by a swarm of hundreds of Asian hornets while on a ziplining holiday in Laos.
Experts are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings of the distinctive yellow-legged insects. With the continued spread of this invasive species, the future of the UK's vital honeybee population hangs in the balance.
