Please report sightings of Yellow-legged hornets (YLH), also known as Asian hornets, on this online form or download the free Asian hornet Watch app for Apple devices or android devices.
As of 31/10/2025:
To view the location of destroyed nests, please visit the map page and choose the Asian Hornet map layer.
530 credible yellow-legged hornet sightings have been reported in the UK in 2025.
158 nests have been found: [click here to go to the most recent nests found]
| # | Location | County | Type | Date found | Links to images / Notes |
| 1 | Langley | Kent | Embryo | 16/04/25 | |
| 2 | Hythe | Hampshire | Embryo | 13/05/25 | Sample not obtainable and no official confirmation |
| 3 | Chartham | Kent | Primary | 27/05/25 | |
| 4 | Shoreham | Sussex | Primary | 10/06/25 | |
| 5 | Wye | Kent | Primary | 07/06/25 | |
| 6 | Ashford | Kent | Primary | 10/06/25 | |
| 7 | Hythe | Kent | Primary | 10/06/25 | |
| 8 | Kennington, Ashford | Kent | Primary | 11/06/25 | |
| 9 | Hawkinge | Kent | Primary | 17/06/25 | |
| 10 | Coolinge, Folkestone | Kent | Primary | 23/06/25 | |
| 11 | Walmer, Deal | Kent | Primary | 25/06/25 | |
| 12 | Chilham | Kent | Primary | 01/07/25 | |
| 13 | Selsted, Dover | Kent | Secondary | 02/07/25 | |
| 14 | Verwood | East Dorset | Primary | 30/06/25 | |
| 15 | Saltwood | Kent | Primary | 03/07/25 | |
| 16 | Chelwood gate | Eat Sussex | Secondary | 04/07/25 | |
| 17 | Dover | Kent | Primary | 09/07/25 | |
| 18 | Dover | Kent | Secondary | 10/07/25 | |
| 19 | Stelling Minnis | Kent | Secondary | 15/07/25 | |
| 20 | Hythe | Kent | Secondary | 15/07/25 | |
| 21 | Staple | Kent | Primary | 16/07/25 | |
| 22 | Ilford (Barkingside) | Greater London | Secondary | 17/07/25 | |
| 23 | Udimore | East Sussex | Secondary | 17/07/25 | |
| 24 | River | Kent | Primary | 17/07/25 | |
| 25 | Whistable | Kent | Secondary | 18/07/25 | |
| 26 | Sissinghurst Castle | Kent | Secondary | 18/07/25 | |
| 27 | Rochester | Kent | Primary | 23/07/25 | |
| 28 | Verwood | Dorset | Secondary | 23/07/25 | |
| 29 | Harrietsham | Kent | Primary | 24/07/25 | |
| 30 | Higham | Kent | Secondary | 24/07/25 | |
| 31 | Church Hougham | Kent | Secondary | 27/07/25 | |
| 32 | Broad Oak | East Sussex | Secondary | 28/07/25 | |
| 33 | Broadstairs | Kent | Primary | 28/07/25 | |
| 34 | Sandgate | Kent | Secondary | 29/07/25 | |
| 35 | Sedlescombe | Sussex | Primary | 29/07/25 | |
| 36 | Hythe 2 | Kent | Secondary | 30/07/25 | |
| 37 | Sandgate 2 | Kent | Secondary | 29/07/25 | |
| 38 | Hastings | East Sussex | Secondary | 29/07/25 | |
| 39 | Langdon Cliffs | Kent | Secondary | 30/07/25 | |
| 40 | Langdon Cliffs | Kent | Primary | 30/07/25 | |
| 41 | Betteshanger | Kent | Secondary | 30/07/25 | |
| 42 | Hemsted | Kent | Secondary | 30/07/25 | |
| 43 | Stone Crouch | Primary | 20/08/25 | ||
| 44 | R.Tunbridge Wells | Kent | Secondary | 31/07/25 | |
| 45 | Hempstead | Kent | Primary | 01/08/25 | |
| 46 | Whitstable | Kent | Primary | 31/07/25 | |
| 47 | Seabrook | Kent | Primary | 08/08/25 | |
| 48 | Stelling Minnis | Kent | Rebuilding | 08/08/25 | |
| 49 | Selsted | Kent | Rebuilding | 04/08/25 | |
| 50 | Wakehurst | West Sussex | Secondary | 03/08/25 | |
| 51 | Headcorn | Kent | Secondary | 03/08/25 | |
| 52 | Tenterden | Kent | Secondary | 05/08/25 | |
| 53 | Dymchurch | Kent | Secondary | 06/08/25 | |
| 54 | Woodchurch | Kent | Secondary | 08/08/25 | |
| 55 | Harrietsham | Kent | Secondary | 08/08/25 | |
| 56 | Stone Crouch | East Sussex | Secondary | 30/07/25 | |
| 57 | Stodmarsh | Kent | Primary | 09/08/25 | |
| 58 | Wye | Kent | Secondary | 09/08/25 | |
| 59 | Cranbrook | Kent | Secondary | 06/08/25 | |
| 60 | River | Kent | Secondary | 11/08/25 | |
| 61 | Walmer, Deal | Kent | Secondary | 12/08/25 | |
| 62 | Weavering | Kent | Secondary | 12/08/25 | |
| 63 | Western Heights, Dover | Kent | Primary | 13/08/25 | |
| 64 | Ilford, Barkingside | Greater London | Secondary | 14/08/25 | |
| 65 | Ashford | Kent | Secondary | 15/08/25 | |
| 66 | Exted | Kent | Primary | 14/08/25 | |
| 67 | Chilham | Kent | Secondary | 15/08/25 | |
| 68 | Wingham | Kent | Secondary | 17/08/25 | |
| 69 | Thanington | Kent | Secondary | 17/08/25 | |
| 70 | Holmbury,Dorking | Surrey | Secondary | 18/08/25 | |
| 71 | Lenham | Kent | Secondary | 18/08/25 | |
| 72 | Wittersham | Kent | Secondary | 19/08/25 | |
| 73 | Udimore | East Sussex | Primary | 20/08/25 | |
| 74 | Udimore | East Sussex | Secondary | 20/08/25 | |
| 75 | Four Oaks | East Sussex | Secondary | 20/08/25 | |
| 76 | Wittersham 2 | Kent | Secondary | 21/08/25 | |
| 77 | Ivy Hatch | Kent | Secondary | 22/08/25 | |
| 78 | Dover Central | Kent | Secondary | 22/08/25 | |
| 79 | Ospringe | Kent | Secondary | 21/08/25 | |
| 80 | Ripple | Kent | Secondary | 23/08/25 | |
| 81 | Cranbrook 2 | Kent | Secondary | 23/08/25 | |
| 82 | Plaxtol | Kent | Primary | 24/08/25 | |
| 83 | Dover castle | Kent | Secondary | 25/08/25 | |
| 84 | Capel le Ferne 1 | Kent | Secondary | 26/08/25 | |
| 85 | Runcorn | Cheshire | Secondary | 27/08/25 | Link to image |
| 86 | Adisham | Kent | Secondary | 27/08/25 | |
| 87 | Langton | North Yorkshire | Secondary | 27/08/25 | Link to image Link to image |
| 88 | Deal 2 | Kent | Secondary | 29/08/25 | |
| 89 | Broadstairs 2 | Kent | Secondary | 30/08/25 | |
| 90 | Folkestone | Kent | Secondary | 31/08/25 | Link to image |
| 91 | Blean | Kent | Secondary | 31/08/25 | Link to image |
| 92 | Capel le Ferne 2 | Kent | Secondary | 02/09/25 | |
| 93 | Church Hougham 2 | Kent | Primary | 02/09/25 | Link to image |
| 94 | Portslade, Brighton and Hove | East Sussex | Secondary | 03/09/25 | |
| 95 | Church Hougham 3 | Kent | Primary | 03/09/25 | Link to image |
| 96 | Bromley | Greater London | Secondary | 04/09/25 | Link to image |
| 97 | Chelwood Gate | East Sussex | Secondary | 04/09/2025 | |
| 98 | Herne Bay | Kent | Secondary | 04/09/2025 | |
| 99 | R Tunbridge Wells | Kent | Secondary | 05/09/2025 | |
| 100 | Dover | Kent | Primary | 05/09/2025 | |
| 101 | Sedlescombe | East Sussex | Secondary | 05/09/2025 | |
| 102 | Frinton-on-Sea | Essex | Primary | 05/09/2025 | |
| 103 | Shottenden | Kent | Secondary | 06/09/2025 | |
| 104 | Stelling Minnis | Kent | Primary | 07/09/2025 | |
| 105 | Whitstable 2 | Kent | Secondary | 07/09/2025 | |
| 106 | Ivy Hatch, nest 2 | Kent | Primary | 07/09/2025 | |
| 107 | Whitstable 2 | Kent | Primary | 07/09/2025 | |
| 108 | Graveney | Kent | Secondary | 08/09/2025 | |
| 109 | Hartley | Kent | Secondary | 09/09/2025 | |
| 110 | Devils Den, Sutton Valance | Kent | Secondary | 10/09/2025 | |
| 111 | Kennington, Ashford | Kent | Secondary | 10/09/2025 | |
| 112 | Ashford Cemetery | Kent | Primary | 11/09/2025 | |
| 113 | Wallcrouch | East Sussex | Secondary | 11/09/2025 | |
| 114 | Plaxtol | Kent | Secondary | 12/09/2025 | Link to image |
| 115 | Tenterden | Kent | Rebuilt | 13/09/2025 | |
| 116 | Cobham | Kent | Secondary | 14/09/2025 | Link to image |
| 117 | Godstone | Surrey | Secondary | 16/09/2025 | Link to image |
| 118 | Frinton-on-Sea | Essex | Secondary | 17/09/2025 | |
| 119 | Holmbury St Mary, Dorking | Surrey | Nest rebuild | 17/09/2025 | |
| 120 | Eastling | Kent | Secondary | 19/09/2025 | |
| 121 | Canterbury | Kent | Secondary | 20/09/2025 | |
| 122 | Stalisfield Green | Kent | Secondary | 20/09/2025 | |
| 123 | Tonbridge | Kent | Secondary | 23/09/2025 | |
| 124 | Elham | Kent | Secondary | 22/09/2025 | |
| 125 | Waltham | Kent | Secondary | 23/09/2025 | |
| 126 | Rolvenden | Kent | Secondary | 23/09/2025 | |
| 127 | Snave | Kent | Primary | 22/09/2025 | |
| 128 | Tresco | Isles of Scilly | Secondary | 24/09/2025 | |
| 129 | Southampton | Hampshire | Secondary | 25/09/2025 | |
| 130 | Maidstone | Kent | Secondary | 25/09/2025 | |
| 131 | Ospringe 2 | Kent | Secondary | 26/09/2025 | |
| 132 | Godmersham | Kent | Secondary | 27/09/2025 | |
| 133 | Rolvenden 2 | Kent | Secondary | 27/09/2025 | |
| 134 | Challock | Kent | Secondary | 27/09/2025 | |
| 135 | Stelling Minnis 2 | Kent | Secondary | 29/09/2025 | |
| 136 | Larkfield | Kent | Secondary | 30/09/2025 | |
| 137 | Goodnestone | Kent | Secondary | 01/10/2025 | |
| 138 | Northiam | East Sussex | Primary | 02/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 139 | Eastling | Kent | Secondary | 03/10/2025 | |
| 140 | Hempstead | Kent | Secondary | 03/10/2025 | |
| 141 | Deal | Kent | Secondary | 06/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 142 | Lewes | East Sussex | Secondary | 07/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 143 | Aylesham | Kent | Secondary | 09/10/2025 | |
| 144 | Coldharbour | Surrey | Secondary | 10/10/2025 | |
| 145 | Iden Green | Kent | Secondary | 11/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 146 | Peasmarsh | East Sussex | Secondary | 12/10/2025 | |
| 147 | Haywards Heath | West Sussex | Secondary | 14/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 148 | Snargate | Kent | Secondary | 14/10/2025 | |
| 149 | Ringstead | Dorset | Secondary | 14/10/2025 | Link to image Link to image |
| 150 | Bodiam | East Sussex | Secondary | 15/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 151 | Godmersham 2 | Kent | Secondary | 17/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 152 | St Margarets | Kent | Secondary | 18/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 153 | Wadhurst | East Sussex | Secondary | 19/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 154 | Brook | Kent | Secondary | 21/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 155 | Womenswold | Kent | Secondary | 21/10/2025 | |
| 156 | Alkham | Kent | Secondary | 22/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 157 | Womenswold | Kent | Primary | 23/10/2025 | Link to image |
| 158 | St Margaret’s Bay | Kent | Secondary | 26/10/2025 | Link to image |
As of 28/08/2025:
A change in approach to YLH sighting updates on BeeBase and Gov.uk: Since the beginning of May 2025, there have been a high number of credible sightings of yellow-legged hornets in the UK. Due to the extensive work in the field and the corresponding laboratory analysis it is not possible to provide a meaningful figure for the number of confirmed sightings as the information quickly becomes out of date as nests are found. The focus of the contingency action is on finding and destroying nests. Not all of the credible sightings will be linked to nests so until contingency action has finished, updates will only be provided on the nests found and destroyed.
Yellow-legged hornet sighting location information in the UK during 2025:
| Sighting Photo | Grid Ref | Date initial sighting | Date confirmed by lab. | Location | County | Reported by | Sighting/nest | Other information | Date nest destroyed | |
| 1 | SJ22 | 23/01/2025 | 24/01/2025 | Oswestry | Shropshire | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Imported shallots | ||
| 2 | Link to image | TR15 | 17/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | Canterbury | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Found dead | |
| 3 | Link to image | SU31 | 08/04/2025 | 10/04/2025 | Marchwood | Hampshire | Member of the public | Single hornet | In rotary washing line | |
| 4 | TR35 | 12/04/2025 | 15/04/2025 | Deal | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Flew into a conservatory | ||
| 5 | Link to image | TQ93 | 14/04/2025 | 15/04/2025 | Appledore | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flew into a greenhouse | |
| 6 | Link to image | TR36 | 14/04/2025 | 17/04/2025 | Ramsgate | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Flew into a conservatory | |
| 7 | Link to image | TQ75 | 16/04/2025 | 23/04/2025 | Langley | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet and embryo nest | Nest on window frame | 16/04/2025 |
| 8 | SU40 | 17/04/2025 | NS | Hythe | Hampshire | Single hornet and embryo nest | Nest in playhouse | 17/04/2025 | ||
| 9 | Link to image | TR23 | 19/04/2025 | 23/04/2025 | Folkestone | Kent | YLAHT | Single hornet | Flew into a conservatory | |
| 10 | Link to image | SU31 | 23/04/2025 | 25/04/2025 | Marchwood | Hampshire | Inspector | Single hornet | NBU spring monitoring | |
| 11 | TR35 | 28/04/2025 | 01/05/2025 | Sandwich | Kent | YLAHT | Single hornet | Foraging in garden | ||
| 12 | TQ82 | 29/04/2025 | 02/05/2025 | Broad Oak | Kent | Inspector | Single hornet | NBU spring monitoring | ||
| 13 | Link to image | TR25 | 30/04/2025 | 02/05/2025 | Nonington | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Flew into house | |
| 14 | TQ76 | 09/05/2025 | 16/05/2025 | Chatham | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flew into conservatory | 27/05/2025 | |
| 15 | TR25 | 10/05/2025 | 16/05/2025 | Barham | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flew into house | ||
| 16 | TR04 | 10/05/2025 | NS | Crundale | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flew into house | ||
| 17 | TQ81 | 12/05/2025 | 21/05/2025 | Cliff End | East Sussex | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flew into house | ||
| 18 | SU31 | 13/05/2025 | NS | Southampton | Hampshire | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flew into house | ||
| 19 | TR24 | 13/05/2025 | 16/05/2025 | Shepherdswell | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flew into conservatory | ||
| 20 | Link to image | TR15 | 20/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | Canterbury | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Collecting pond water | |
| 21 | TR13 | 25/05/2025 | NS | Seabrook Folkestone | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flew into house | Primary 08/08/2025 | |
| 22 | Link to image | TR35 | 26/05/2025 | 03/06/2025 | Sandwich | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Found dead | |
| 23 | Link to image | TR15 | 26/05/2025 | 29/05/2025 | Canterbury | Kent | Beekeeper | Nest | Nest in hive | 27/05/2025 |
| 24 | Link to image | NZ32 | 28/05/2025 | NS | Mordon | County Durham | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flew from a polytunnel | |
| 25 | TR35 | 31/05/2025 | 06/06/2025 | Deal 2 | Kent | Member of the public | Single Hornet | Killed in a conservatory | ||
| 26 | TQ82 | 31/05/2025 | 03/06/2025 | Cherrytree Shaw | East Sussex | Inspector | Single Hornet | NBU spring monitoring | ||
| 27 | TR24 | 01/06/2025 | 03/06/2025 | Ewell Minis | Kent | Inspector | Single Hornet | NBU spring monitoring | ||
| 28 | TR02 | 01/06/2025 | 03/06/2025 | New Romney | Kent | Beekeeper | Single Hornet | Hawking in Apiary | ||
| 29 | TR24 | 03/06/2025 | 06/06/2025 | Snowdown | Kent | Inspector | Single Hornet | NBU spring monitoring | ||
| 30 | Link to image | TQ20 | 05/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | Shoreham-by-Sea | West Sussex | Member of the public | Single hornet and nest | Nest in garage | 12/06/2025 |
| 31 | TR04 | 09/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | Wye, Ashford | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet and nest | Nest in ivy | 10/06/2025 Secondary TBC | |
| 32 | TR24 | 08/06/2025 | 13/06/2025 | Selstead, Dover | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Hornets in an apiary |
Secondary 09/07/2025
rebuild 08/08/2025
|
|
| 33 | Link to image | TR04 | 08/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | Ashford | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet and nest | Nest in birdbox | Primary 10/06/2025 Secondary 21/08/2025 |
| 34 | Link to image | TR13 | 08/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | Hythe | Kent | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Nest in ground | Secondary 12/06/2025 Primary 23/07/2025 Primary 04/07/2024 Secondary TBC |
| 35 | TR04 | 11/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | Kennington | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet and nest | Nest in shed | 12/06/2025 | |
| 36 | TR05 | 14/06/2025 | 23/06/2025 | Chilham | Kent | YLAHT | Single hornet | YLAHT monitoring | 04/07/2025 Secondary 19/08/2025 | |
| 37 | Link to image | TR23 | 16/06/2025 | 24/06/2025 | Hawkinge | Kent | Member of the public | Nest | Nest in bird box | 19/06/2025 |
| 38 | TR23 | 17/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | Sandgate | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Found in attic | 2 secondary nests on 29/07/2025 | |
| 39 | TR14 | 17/06/2025 | 23/06/2025 | Stelling Minnis | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Found in sink | 16/07/2025 rebuild 08/08/2025 | |
| 40 | Link to image | TR23 | 19/06/2025 | 04/07/2024 | Coolinge, Folkestone | Kent | Member of the public | Nest | Nest in water-tank water feature | 23/06/2025 |
| 41 | TQ71 | 21/06/2025 | 26/06/2025 | Hastings | East Sussex | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Hawking in apiary | 05/08/2025 | |
| 42 | TR35 | 23/06/2025 | 08/07/2025 | Walmer | Kent | Pest controller | Nest | Multiple reports | 23/06/2025 Secondary TBC | |
| 43 | SU10 | 27/06/2025 | 03/07/2025 | Verwood | Dorset | Member of the public | Nest | In garden | 01/07/2025 Secondary 25/07/2025 | |
| 44 | TR34 | 03/07/2025 | TBC | Dover, Central | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Flew into shed | Primary nest in ground and Secondary 15/07/2025 | |
| 45 | TQ42 | 04/07/2025 | 11/07/2025 | Chelwood Gate | East Sussex | Member of the public | Single hornet | Dead hornet | 09/07/2025 | |
| 46 | TR24 | 04/07/2025 | 11/07/2025 | River, Dover | Kent | YLAHT | Single hornet, multiple sightings | Apiary monitoring | 17/07/2025 Secondary 12/08/2025 | |
| 47 | TQ54 | 07/07/2025 | 11/07/2025 | Royal Tunbridge Wells | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Found in garden | Secondary 31/07/2025 | |
| 48 | TQ83 | 07/07/2025 | 11/07/2025 | Sissinghurst | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Found inside house | 23/07/2025 | |
| 49 | TR25 | 10/07/2025 | 21/07/2025 | Staple | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Found inside house | 17/07/2025 | |
| 50 | Link to image | TQ49 | 14/07/2025 | 17/07/2025 | Ilford | Greater London | Member of the public | Single hornet | In Garden |
Secondary 18/07/2025
Secondary 20/08/2025
|
| 51 | TQ81 | 14/07/2025 | TBC | Broad Oak | Kent | Beekeeper | Single Hornet | Trap in Apiary | 29/07/2025 | |
| 52 | TR16 | 15/07/2025 | 21/07/2025 | Whitstable | Kent | YLAHT | Single Hornet | Trap at Home | Primary and Secondary 07/08/2025 | |
| 53 | TR14 | 16/07/2025 | TBC | Hempsted | Kent | Beekeeper | Single Hornet | Home | Secondary 30/07/2025 | |
| 54 | Link to image | TQ76 | 16/07/2025 | 21/07/2025 | Rochester | Kent | Beekeeper | Single Hornet | Flew into House | 25/07/2025 |
| 55 | TQ81 | 16/07/2025 | 21/07/2025 | Doleham | East Sussex | Member of the Public | Single Hornet | Trap in Apiary | ||
| 56 | Link to image | TQ81 | 16/07/2025 | TBC | Udimore | East Sussex | YLAHT & member of the public | Nest | In Outbuilding | 22/07/2025 Primary and secondary TBC |
| 57 | TQ71 | 16/07/2025 | 21/07/2025 | Sedlescombe | East Sussex | Member of the Public | Single Hornet | 31/07/2025 | ||
| 58 | TQ77 | 17/07/2025 | 22/07/2025 | Higham | Kent | Beekeeper | Single Hornet | Apiary monitoring | 29/07/2025 | |
| 59 | TR35 | 19/07/2025 | 28/07/2025 | Betteshanger | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Hawking in apiary | 06/08/2025 | |
| 60 | TQ85 | 19/07/2025 | 29/07/2025 | Harrietsham | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Found in wasp trap | 24/07/2025 Secondary 09/08/2025 | |
| 61 | TQ33 | 21/07/2025 | 23/07/2025 | Wakehurst | West Sussex | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Found on tree | Secondary 05/08/2025 | |
| 62 | TR34 | 21/07/2025 | 31/07/2025 | Langdon Cliffs, Dover | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Visitor’s centre | Primary and Secondary 31/07/2025 | |
| 63 | TR24 | 22/07/2025 | 04/08/2025 | Church Hougham | Kent | Beekeeper | Multiple hornets | Apiary monitoring | 29/07/2025 | |
| 64 | TQ55 | 24/07/2025 | 28/07/2025 | Shipbourne | Kent | Member of the Public | Single Hornet | Found in wasp trap | ||
| 65 | TQ84 | 25/07/2025 | NS | Headborn, Maidstone | Kent | Member of the Public | Single Hornet | Foraging on Carrion | Secondary 03/08/2025 | |
| 66 | TR36 | 26/07/2025 | 04/08/2025 | Broadstairs | Kent | Beekeeper | Single Hornet | In garden | 30/07/2025 | |
| 67 | TQ73 | 29/07/2025 | 08/08/2025 | Cranbrook | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | In garden | TBC | |
| 68 | TR15 | 26/07/2025 | NS | Canterbury | Kent | Member of the public. Multiple sightings | Single hornet | In garden | ||
| 69 | TQ73 | 30/07/2025 | NS | Stone Crouch, Wadhurst | Kent / East Sussex | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Found in disused hive | Primary 31/07/2025 Secondary 14/08/2025 | |
| 70 | TR34 | 31/07/2025 | NS | Dover Port | Kent | Official Border control | Single hornet | Found at ferry terminal | ||
| 71 | TQ76 | 31/07/2025 | TBC | Hempstead, Gillingham | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | In garden | Primary 12/08/2025 | |
| 72 | TR04 | 01/08/2025 | 12/08/2025 | South Ashford | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Wasp trap in apiary | ||
| 73 | TQ67 | 01/08/2025 | 12/08/2025 | North Elham | Kent | YLAHT | Multiple hornets | Found in wasp trap | ||
| 74 | TQ83 | 02/08/2025 | TBC | Tenterden | YLAHT | Multiple hornets | Multiple sightings | 14/08/2025 | ||
| 75 | TQ82 | 02/08/2025 | TBC | Four oaks | Kent | Beekeeper | Multiple hornets | Apiary monitoring, multiple sightings | ||
| 76 | TR25 | 02/08/2025 | TBC | Adisham | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Hornet foraging | ||
| 77 | TQ93 | 03/08/2025 | 12/08/2025 | Woodchurch | Kent | Member of the public & YLAHT | Multiple hornets | Foraging on figs | TBC | |
| 78 | TR02 | 03/08/2025 | 12/08/2025 | Snave | Kent | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Found in trap in apple tree | ||
| 79 | TR13 | 04/08/2025 | TBC | West Hythe | Kent | Beekeeper | Multiple hornets, multiple sightings | Hawking in apiary | Primary 04/07/2025 Secondary 06/08/2025 Secondary 19/08/2025 | |
| 80 | TR26 | 05/08/2025 | TBC | Stodmarsh | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Apiary monitoring | Primary 12/08/2025 | |
| 81 | TQ65 | 08/08/2025 | TBC | Larkfield | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Seen on path | ||
| 82 | TR06 | 09/08/2025 | TBC | Graveney | Kent | Beekeeper | Multiple hornets | Apiary monitoring. | ||
| 83 | TR35 | 09/08/2025 | TBC | Northbourne | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Apiary monitoring. | ||
| 84 | TR35 | 10/08/2025 | NS | Deal Marina | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Foraging on flowers | ||
| 85 | TR16 | 10/08/2025 | TBC | Herne Bay | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | |||
| 86 | TR06 | 10/08/2025 | TBC | Ospringe, nr Faversham | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Found near apiary | ||
| 87 | TQ95 | 10/08/2025 | TBC | Broomhill Wood, Faversham Road | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Collecting water | ||
| 88 | TR04 | 11/08/2025 | TBC | Kennington 2 | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flying in garden | ||
| 89 | TR01 | 12/08/2025 | TBC | Dungeness | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Killed on shore | ||
| 90 | TQ75 | 12/08/2025 | TBC | Weavering | Kent | Beekeeper | Nest | Nest in birdbox | 13/08/2025 | |
| 91 | TR25 | 12/08/2025 | TBC | Wingham | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Caught in garden | TBC | |
| 92 | TR23 | 13/08/2025 | TBC | Capel le Ferne | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | |||
| 93 | TQ54 | 13/08/2025 | TBC | North Royal Tunbridge Wells | Kent | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | 21/08/2025 | ||
| 94 | TR05 | 14/08/2025 | TBC | Shottenden | Kent | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Foraging on flowers | ||
| 95 | TQ55 | 14/08/2025 | TBC | Ivy Hatch | Kent | Member of the public | 26/08/2025 | |||
| 96 | TR15 | 14/08/2025 | TBC | Thanington | Kent | Beekeeper | Multiple hornets | Hawking in apiary | Secondary 26/08/2025 | |
| 97 | TQ14 | 14/08/2025 | TBC | Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey | Surrey | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Foraging on flowers | Secondary 26/08/2025 | |
| 98 | TR14 | 13/08/2025 | TBC | Exted | Kent | Beekeeper | Multiple hornets | Hawking in apiary | Primary 15/08/2025 | |
| 99 | TQ92 | 15/008/2025 | TBC | Brookland | Kent | YLAHT | Single hornet | YLAHT monitoring | ||
| 100 | TQ20 | 16/08/2025 | TBC | Portslate, Brighton and Hove | East Sussex | Member of the public | Single hornet | Foraging on flowers | ||
| 101 | SJ58 | 16/08/2025 | 18/08/2025 | Runcorn | Cheshire | Member of the public | Single hornet | Foraging on figs | TBC | |
| 102 | TR34 | 16/08/2025 | TBC | Ripple | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Foraging on flowers | Secondary 28/08/2025 | |
| 103 | TR23 | 16/08/2025 | TBC | The Warren | Kent | Beekeeper | Multiple hornets | Apiary monitoring. | ||
| 104 | TQ35 | 17/08/2025 | TBC | Tyler’s Green | Surrey | Member of the public | Single hornet | |||
| 105 | TQ84 | 17/08/2025 | TBC | Oakwood Manor | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Foraging on figs | ||
| 106 | TQ92 | 16/08/2025 | TBC | Wittersham | Kent | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Foraging on flowers | Secondary 27/08/2025 & Secondary TBC | |
| 107 | TR24 | 19/08/2025 | TBC | Ewell Minnis | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | Beekeeping association monitoring | ||
| 108 | TR25 | 19/08/2025 | TBC | Aylesham | Kent | Member of the public | Single insect | Dead insect | ||
| 109 | TR34 | 20/08/2025 | TBC | Ringwould | Kent | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Foraging on Willow | ||
| 110 | TQ83 | 20/08/2025 | TBC | Beacon Hill | Kent | Member of the public | Single insect | On path | ||
| 111 | TQ95 | 21/08/2025 | TBC | Eastling | Kent | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Caught in wasp trap | ||
| 112 | 07/08/2025 | NS | Cherbourg Port | English Channel | Member of the public | Single insect | On Ferry | |||
| 113 | TQ54 | 22/08/2025 | TBC | Denny Bottom | Kent | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Found in hedge | ||
| 114 | TQ65 | 21/08/2025 | TBC | Plaxtol | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Hawking in apiary | 27/08/2025 | |
| 115 | TQ95 | TBC | Lenham | Kent | Beekeeper | Single hornet | ||||
| 116 | TQ66 | 22/08/2025 | TBC | Cobham | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Caught in wasp trap | ||
| 117 | TL06 | 24/08/2025 | TBC | Dover Castle | Kent | Beekeeper | Multiple hornets | Fling near trap | TBC | |
| 118 | TR34 | 24/08/2025 | TBC | Martin Mill | Kent | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Found inside house | ||
| 119 | TR24 | 24/08/2025 | TBC | Barham | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | In garden | ||
| 120 | TQ14 | 24/08/2025 | TBC | Forest Green | Surrey | Member of the public | Multiple hornets | Countryside | ||
| 121 | TQ53 | 25/08/2025 | TBC | Crowborough | East Sussex | Member of the public | Single hornet | Found in hedge | ||
| 122 | TR04 | 25/08/2025 | TBC | Church end, Challock | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flying near trees | ||
| 123 | TR05 | 22/08/2025 | TBC | Molash | Kent | Member of the public | Single hornet | Flying near trees | ||
| 124 | TQ14 | 26/08/2025 | TBC | Holmbury st Mary | Surrey | YLAHT | Multiple hornets | |||
| 125 | Link to image | SE76 | 26/08/2025 | 27/08/2025 | Langton | North Yorkshire | Member of the public | Single hornet | Foraging on snowberry | TBC |
Please note:
- Sighting photos are not always available.
- ‘Date of initial sighting’ sometimes shows that sightings are reported retrospectively.
- ‘Date confirmed by Lab’ is the date sightings are confirmed formally by a laboratory and includes delivery times.
- ‘NS’: No Sample.
- ‘TBC’: To Be Confirmed.
- YLAHT: Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet Team
- >two sightings in close proximity recorded as ‘multiple sightings’
Summary of results from spring trapping for Yellow-Legged hornets in GB in 2025
A total of 22 individual Yellow-Legged Hornets (YLHs) were confirmed between January and early June 2025. Some of these hornets were captured during spring trapping led by the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit (NBU) which was carried out for 8 weeks from early April 2025 to early June 2025. All these hornets were sent for further analysis.
There were 20 spring queens, one damaged individual that was likely a queen and one lone worker.
Four of the spring queens were identified as likely offspring from 2 of the nests destroyed in 2024. These were the nest destroyed in Coldred on 25th October and the nest destroyed in Udimore on 1st November. These 2 nests were themselves likely offspring of nests destroyed in 2023. This is the first evidence of a second generation of YLHs being produced in GB. None of the other 16 queens were likely related to known nests from the previous year.
Figures are included below to illustrate.
Map of yellow-legged hornets linked to the Udimore nest
Map of Yellow-legged hornets linked to the Coldred nest
It is important to note that the numbers of second-generation hornets are very low and there have been good levels of monitoring by beekeepers and the NBU. The NBU deployed 350 traps and a total of 5,500 trap checks were made. This is not considered to be strong evidence of an established population and the NBU are continuing to take contingency action against YLH. The evidence gathered from action taken during 2025 will be reviewed overwinter.