A colony of Asian hornets has been discovered in a new area in the UK for the first time since the invasive species spread to various parts of the country. The nest of these harmful hornets was located near Wrexham, Wales, prompting the Welsh Government to advise the public to stay vigilant and report any potential sightings. Officials confirmed that the nest, the first of its kind in Wales, was no longer active.
This finding comes after a significant increase in Asian hornet sightings across the UK, with 161 nests being identified and eliminated last year. Additionally, there were 176 sightings of the insect confirmed through laboratory tests, although the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs suggested that there may have been as many as 544 reliable sightings.
The previous record for sightings was surpassed in 2023, with 57 confirmed sightings and 73 nests destroyed. Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister of Wales, expressed gratitude to beekeepers and the public for their vigilance in reporting suspected sightings. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the appearance of yellow-legged hornets and urged continued vigilance as the weather warms up in the spring and summer months.
The Asian hornet was unintentionally introduced to Europe in 2004 through a shipment of pottery from China. Since then, it has spread to several European countries, including France, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, and the UK. Unlike the Asian giant hornet found in America, the Asian hornet poses no greater health risk than a bee to humans but poses a significant threat to honeybee populations, capable of killing 60 to 90 bees in a single day. These hornets are opportunistic hunters, preying on various insect species, including honey bees, bumblebees, butterflies, hoverflies, and beetles.
