Overview

• Asian hornets have overwintered in the UK for the first time, confirmed by DNA analysis.
• The species poses a significant threat to honey bees and native pollinators, consuming up to 50 bees a day.
• The British Bee Keepers Association is urging the public to report sightings via the Asian Hornet Watch app.
• Experts warn that the UK may be at a tipping point for the hornets becoming established.
• The National Bee Unit destroyed 72 nests in 2023, but sightings continue to rise in 2024.