Guidance

Yellow-legged hornet, also known as Asian hornet: laboratory confirmed UK sightings

Annual laboratory confirmed UK sightings of the yellow-legged hornet, also known as Asian hornet (Vespa velutina).

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
23 June 2020
Last updated
5 November 2024 — See all updates

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Laboratory confirmed sightings of yellow-legged hornet (also known as Asian hornet) since 2016

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List of sightings of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) in the UK which have been confirmed in a laboratory.

You can report sightings of the yellow-legged hornet using the reporting form managed by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

For help identifying yellow-legged hornets, see the Non-Native Species Secretariat’s identification guide.

Updates to this page

Published 23 June 2020
Last updated 5 November 2024 + show all updates

  1. One confirmed sighting from October 2024 has been added. Two confirmed sightings from November 2024 have also been added.

  2. One confirmed sighting from October 2024 has been added.

  3. Added 2 new confirmed Asian hornet sightings in September 2024 (Great Maxfield, East Sussex and Southampton, Hampshire)

  4. Updated confirmed sightings for September 2024.

  5. One confirmed sighting from August added. 4 confirmed sightings from September added.

  6. Added confirmed sightings for July and August in UK 2024.

  7. Added a link to report sightings of the Asian hornet, and added a link to guidance on identifying the Asian hornet.

  8. Added a confirmed sighting of the Asian hornet in June 2024 (Four Oaks, East Sussex).

  9. Updated confirmed sightings of Asian hornet in the UK in May and June 2024.

  10. Updated the number and list of sightings for May 2024.

  11. May and April sightings added.

  12. Updated confirmed sightings of Asian hornet in the UK in April 2024.

  13. Updated confirmed sightings of Asian hornet in the UK in March 2024.

  14. There has been 1 confirmed sighting of Asian hornet in the UK in 2024. Updated the number and list of sightings.

  15. Updated list with the latest sightings for November 2023.

  16. Updated the list and number of sightings, including additions to October 2023 and corrections to August and September 2023.

  17. Updated the number and list of sightings.

  18. Updated sighting numbers and details for October 2023.

  19. Corrected previous reports of September sightings: - Oxted, Surrey: 26 September – 2 nests destroyed - Yarm, North Yorkshire: 25 September – nest destroyed

  20. Updated the number and list of sightings.

  21. Updated list with the latest sightings in September.

  22. Updated with the latest sightings in September.

  23. Updated list of Asian hornet sightings for 2023.

  24. Updated list of Asian hornet sightings for 2023.

  25. Updated list of Asian hornet sightings for 2023.

  26. Current situation updated.

  27. There have been 5 confirmed sightings of Asian hornet in the UK in 2023 so far.

  28. Nest in Rayleigh, Essex destroyed on 30 September.

  29. Several hornets were captured in Rayleigh, Essex. Confirmed on 27 September 2022.

  30. A single hornet was captured in Felixstowe, Suffolk on 29 April 2022.

  31. Nest found in Portsmouth on 29 October and nest destroyed on 31 October.

  32. Nest in Ascot, Berkshire destroyed on 11 October.

  33. Added confirmed sighting of the Asian hornet in Ascot, Berkshire.

  34. Current situation updated.

  35. Minor change

  36. Added confirmed sightings of the Asian hornet 2020.

  37. First published.

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