Essex has confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, an invasive species that is damaging to native wasps and hornets. The public is urged to remain watchful.
As Asian hornets have been sighted in the Rayleigh region of Essex, beekeepers and members of the public are urged to be careful today (Wednesday, September 28).
The National Bee Unit has confirmed the sighting and is conducting surveillance to detect additional Asian hornets in the area.
The Asian hornet is smaller than our indigenous hornet and poses no greater threat to human health than our indigenous wasps and hornets. Nonetheless, they pose a threat to honey bees, and efforts are already underway to monitor for hornet activity and identify nearby nests.
This is the first confirmed sighting in the United Kingdom since April 2022, when one Asian hornet was captured in Suffolk.
Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer at Defra, Nicola Spence, stated:
By ensuring we are notified of any sightings as soon as possible, we can eliminate the threat posed by Asian hornets swiftly and effectively. Following this confirmed observation, we are working quickly to identify and investigate any nests in the vicinity.
While the Asian hornet does not pose a greater threat to human health than other wasps or hornets, we are aware of the harm it can cause to honey bee colonies and other beneficial insects.
Please continue to keep an eye out for Asian hornets, and if you believe you’ve spotted one, please report it via the Asian hornet app or online.
It is essential to avoid approaching or disturbing a nest. In general, Asian hornets are not aggressive towards humans, with the exception of when they perceive a threat to their nest.
If you suspect you’ve spotted an Asian hornet, please report it using the Asian Hornet Watch iPhone and Android app or our online report form. You may also send an email to alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk.
Please add a photograph if you can obtain one without risk.
There are identification guides and further information available, and beekeepers should remain abreast of the latest situation on the gov.uk sightings page and BeeBase.
APHA will cover the expense of eradication on private property.
Great Britain Non-native Species Secretariat is a collaboration between Defra, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government to combat invasive species. There is additional information on their website.
Please refer to BeeBase or the non-native species identification guide for specifics on the look of an Asian hornet.
We have photographs of the Asian hornet on our Flickr account.
The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) should not be confused with the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarina), which has been discovered in North America.