UK Asian hornet nests rise to 161 as sightings near 1,000

Britain faces a significant surge in its invasive Asian hornet population this summer, driven by record-breaking warm weather that experts warn could make 2026 the worst year on record for the species. The rising temperatures are accelerating the emergence and spread of these predatory insects, shifting the national strategy from eradication to long-term management.

The number of confirmed Asian hornet nests in the UK skyrocketed from 24 in 2024 to 161 in 2025, while credible sightings jumped to 544 last year from a previous annual peak of 56 in 2023. Experts now anticipate sightings could reach 1,000 this year. The hornets, first confirmed in the UK in 2016, successfully survived a British winter for the first time last year, a development that has heightened concerns about their establishment.

Luke Newnes, an Asian hornet specialist, stated that with 2026 tracking as one of the warmest years in recent records, the warmer conditions are likely to accelerate emergence activity. He emphasized that the concern lies in how quickly populations can scale once queens establish successfully. The geographical spread is also accelerating, with sightings now appearing much further inland...