Guidance

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

Updated 5 December 2025

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.

Confirmed sightings in 2025

There has been a total of 544 credible sightings of yellow-legged hornets in 2025. 

There has been a total of 161 confirmed nests of yellow-legged hornets in 2025, and 270 since 2016, all of which were destroyed.  

There was also 1 unconfirmed nest in Southampton, Hampshire where the sample was not obtainable.

Confirmed sightings in November 

• Swyre, Dorset: 19 November – Nest destroyed 
• Ewhurst, East Sussex: 18 November – Nest destroyed 
• Etchingham, East Sussex: 14 November – Nest destroyed 
• Broad Oak, East Sussex: 5 November – Nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in October 

• St Margarets Bay, Kent: 24 October – Nest destroyed 
• Womenswold, Kent: 22 October – Nest destroyed 
• Alkham, Kent: 22 October – Nest destroyed 
• Womenswold, Kent: 21 October – Nest destroyed 
• Brook, Kent: 21 October – Nest destroyed 
• Wadhurst, East Sussex: 21 October – Nest destroyed 
• St Margarets, Kent: 21 October – Nest destroyed 
• Godmersham, Kent: 17 October – Nest destroyed 
• Aylesham, Kent: 16 October – Nest destroyed 
• Bodiam, East Sussex: 16 October – Nest destroyed 
• Ringstead, Dorset: 15 October – Nest destroyed 
• Snargate, Kent: 14 October – Nest destroyed 
• Haywards Heath, West Sussex: 13 October – Nest destroyed 
• Peasmarsh, East Sussex: 13 October – Nest destroyed 
• Iden Green, Kent: 13 October – Nest destroyed 
• Cold Harbour, Surrey: 13 October – Nest destroyed 
• Lewes, Sussex: 13 October – Nest destroyed 
• Deal, Kent: 7 October – Nest destroyed 
• Hempstead, Kent: 6 October – Nest destroyed 
• Northiam, East Sussex: 4 October – Nest destroyed 
• Eastling, Kent: 3 October – Nest destroyed
• Goodnestone, Kent: 1 October – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in September 

• Larkfield, Kent: 30 September – nest destroyed 
• Stelling Minnis, Kent: 29 September – nest destroyed 
• Challock, Kent: 27 September – nest destroyed 
• Rolvenden, Kent: 27 September –  nest destroyed 
• Godmersham, Kent: 27 September –  nest destroyed 
• Ospringe, Kent: 26 September – nest destroyed  
• Maidstone, Kent: 25 September – nest destroyed 

• Southampton, Hampshire: 25 September – nest destroyed 

• Tresco, Isles of Scilly: 24 September – nest destroyed 

• Rolvenden, Kent: 23 September – nest destroyed 

• Waltham, Kent: 23 September – nest destroyed 

• Snave, Kent: 22 September – nest destroyed 

• Elham, Kent: 22 September – nest destroyed 

• Tonbridge, Kent: 22 September – nest destroyed 

• Stalisfield Green, Kent: 20 September – nest destroyed  

• Canterbury, Kent: 20 September – nest destroyed 

• Eastling, Kent: 19 September – nest destroyed 

• Cobham, Kent: 18 September – nest destroyed 

• Wall Crouch, East Sussex: 18 September – nest destroyed 

• Devils Den, Kent: 16 September – nest destroyed 

• Frinton-on-Sea, Essex: 17 September – nest destroyed 

• Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey: 17 September – nest destroyed 

• Devils Den, Kent: 16 September – nest destroyed 

• Godstone, Surrey: 16 September – nest destroyed 

• Tyler Hill, Kent: 16 September – nest destroyed 

• Ashford, Kent: 16 September – nest destroyed 

• Tenterden, Kent: 14 September – nest destroyed 

• Plaxtol, Kent: 14 September – nest destroyed 

• Shottenden, Kent: 11 September – nest destroyed 

• Broadstairs, Kent: 11 September – nest destroyed 

• Kennington, Kent: 11 September – nest destroyed 

• Ivy Hatch, Kent: 10 September – nest destroyed 

• Dover, Kent: 10 September – nest destroyed 

• Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent: 9 September – nest destroyed 

• Sedlescombe, East Sussex: 9 September – nest destroyed 

• Hartley, Kent: 9 September – nest destroyed 

• Graveney, Kent: 9 September – nest destroyed 

• Langton, North Yorkshire: 8 September – nest destroyed 

• Whitstable, Kent: 7 September – 2 nests destroyed 

• Stelling Minnis, Kent: 7 September – nest destroyed 

• Chelwood Gate, Kent: 5 September – nest destroyed 

• Herne Bay, Kent: 5 September – nest destroyed 

• Bromley, Kent: 5 September – nest destroyed 

• Aldrington, Portslade, East Sussex: 4 September – nest destroyed
• Church Hougham, Kent: 3 September – 2 nests destroyed 
• Runcorn, Cheshire: 3 September – nest destroyed 
• Capel le Ferne, Kent: 2 September – nest destroyed 
• Udimore, East Sussex: 2 September – nest destroyed 
• Adisham, Kent: 2 September – nest destroyed 
• Ospringe, Kent: 1 September – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in August 

• Folkestone, Kent: 31 August – nest destroyed 
• Capel le Ferne, Kent: 30 August – nest destroyed 
• Deal, Kent: 29 August – nest destroyed 
• Dover, Kent: 28 August – nest destroyed 
• Ripple, Kent: 28 August – nest destroyed 
• Wingham, Kent: 28 August – nest destroyed 
• Weavering, Kent: 28 August – nest destroyed 
• Walmer, Kent: 28 August – nest destroyed 
• Udimore, East Sussex: 28 August – nest destroyed
• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 27 August – nest destroyed 
• Cranbrook, Kent: 27 August – nest destroyed 
• Plaxtol, Kent: 27 August – nest destroyed 
• Wittersham, Kent: 27 August – 2 nests destroyed 
• Dover Central, Kent: 27 August – nest destroyed
• Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey: 26 August – nest destroyed 
• Ivy Hatch, Kent: 26 August – nest destroyed 
• Thanington, Kent: 26 August - nest destroyed 
• Lenham, Kent: 26 August – nest destroyed 
• Stone Crouch, East Sussex: 22 August – nest destroyed 
• Ashford, Kent: 21 August – nest destroyed 
• Ilford, Greater London: 20 August – nest destroyed 
• Dymchurch, Kent: 19 August – nest destroyed 
• Chilham, Kent: 19 August – nest destroyed 
• Exted, Kent: 15 August – nest destroyed 
• Woodchurch, Kent: 14 August – nest destroyed 
• Cranbrook, Kent: 14 August – nest destroyed  
• Tenterden, Kent: 14 August – nest destroyed  
• Wye, Kent: 14 August – nest destroyed 
• Dover, Kent: 13 August – nest destroyed 
• River, Kent: 12 August – nest destroyed 
• Hempstead, Kent: 12 August – nest destroyed  
• Stodmarsh, Kent: 12 August – nest destroyed 
• Stone Crouch, Wadhurst, East Sussex: 9 August – nest destroyed 
• Harrietsham, Kent: 9 August – nest destroyed 
• Stelling Minnis, Kent: 8 August – nest destroyed 
• Seabrook, Kent: 8 August – nest destroyed 
• Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent: 7 August – nest destroyed 
• Whitstable, Kent: 7 August – 2 nests destroyed 
• Selsted, Kent: 7 August – nest destroyed 
• Betteshanger, Kent: 6 August – nest destroyed 
• Hythe, Kent: 6 August – nest destroyed 
• Wakehurst, West Sussex: 5 August – nest destroyed  
• Hastings, East Sussex: 5 August – nest destroyed 
• Headcorn, Kent: 3 August – nest destroyed 

Confirmed sightings in July 

• Langdon Cliffs, Dover, Kent: 31 July – 2 nests destroyed 
• Sedlescombe, Sussex: 31 July – nest destroyed 
• Hemsted, Kent: 30 July – nest destroyed  
• Broadstairs, Kent: 30 July – nest destroyed  
• Sandgate, Kent: 29 July – 2 nests destroyed 
• Broad Oak, Sussex: 29 July – nest destroyed 
• Church Hougham, Kent: 29 July – nest destroyed 
• Higham, Kent: 29 July – nest destroyed 
• Verwood, Dorset: 23 July – nest destroyed 
• Rochester, Kent: 23 July – nest destroyed 
• Harrietsham, Kent: 24 July – nest destroyed 
• Sissinghurst, Kent: 23 July – nest destroyed 
• Hythe, Folkestone, Kent: 23 July – nest destroyed 
• Udimore, East Sussex: 22 July – nest destroyed  
• Ilford, Greater London: 18 July – nest destroyed 
• Staple, Kent: 17 July – nest destroyed 
• River, Kent: 17 July – nest destroyed 
• Stelling Minnis, Kent: 16 July – nest destroyed 
• Dover, Kent: 15 July – 2 nests destroyed 
• Chelwood gate, East Sussex: 9 July – nest destroyed 
• Selsted, Dover, Kent: 9 July – nest destroyed 
• Chilham, Kent: 4 July – nest destroyed 
• Saltwood, Folkestone, Kent: 4 July – nest destroyed 
• Verwood, Dorset: 1 July – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in June

• Walmer, Kent: 25 June – nest destroyed 
• Coolinge, Folkestone, Kent: 23 June – nest destroyed 
• Hawkinge, Kent: 19 June – nest destroyed  
• Kennington, Kent: 12 June – nest destroyed  
• Hythe, Kent: 12 June – nest destroyed  
• Shoreham, West Sussex: 12 June – nest destroyed 
• Ashford, Kent: 10 June – nest destroyed  
• Wye, Kent: 10 June – nest destroyed  
• Snowdown, Kent: 6 June – single hornet captured 
• New Romney, Kent: 3 June – single hornet captured 
• Ewell Minis, Kent: 3 June – single hornet captured 
• Deal, Kent: 6 June – single hornet captured 
• Cherrytree Shaw, East Sussex: 3 June – single hornet captured 
• Sandwich, Kent: 3 June– single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in May

• Chartham, Kent: 27 May – nest destroyed  
• Canterbury, Kent: 22 May – single hornet captured
• Shepherdswell, Kent: 16 May – single hornet captured
• Hastings, East Sussex: 21 May – single hornet captured
• Barham, Kent: 16 May – single hornet captured
• Chatham, Kent: 16 May – single hornet captured
• Nonington, Kent: 2 May – single hornet captured 
• Broad Oak, Kent: 2 May – single hornet captured 
• Sandwich, Kent: 1 May – single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in April

• Marchwood, Hampshire: 25 April – single hornet captured
• Folkestone, Kent: 23 April – single hornet captured
• Langley, Kent: 16 April – nest destroyed
• Ramsgate, Kent: 17 April – single hornet captured
• Appledore, East Sussex: 15 April – single hornet captured
• Deal, Kent: 15 April – single hornet captured
• Marchwood, Hampshire: 10 April – single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in March

• Canterbury, Kent: 20 March – single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in January

• Oswestry, Shropshire: 24 January – single hornet captured

2024: confirmed sightings

Confirmed sightings in November

• Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex: 12 November – nest destroyed
• South Alkham, Kent: 1 November – nest destroyed
• Udimore, East Sussex: 1 November – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in October

• Coldred, Kent: 25 October – nest destroyed
• Great Maxfield, East Sussex: 16 October – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in September

• Great Maxfield, East Sussex: 26 September – nest destroyed
• Southampton, Hampshire: 24 September – nest destroyed
• Rye Harbour, East Sussex: 9 September – 2 nests destroyed
• Ardingly, West Sussex: 9 September – nest destroyed
• Lydd, Folkestone & Hythe, Kent: 8 September – 2 nests destroyed
• Dymchurch, Kent: 5 September – nest destroyed
• Baldslow, East Sussex: 3 September – nest destroyed
• Elham, Kent: 3 September – 2 nests destroyed
• Goodnestone, Kent: 3 September – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in August

• Temple Ewell, Kent: 30 August – nest destroyed
• Lydden, Kent: 27 August – 2 nests destroyed
• Alkham, Kent: 27 August – nest destroyed
• Ramsgate, Kent: 22 August – nest destroyed
• Great Maxfield, East Sussex: 2 August – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in July

• Barham, Kent: 4 July – single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in June

• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 6 June – single hornet captured
• Martin’s Mill, Kent: 4 June – single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in May

• Martin’s Mill, Kent: 30 May – single hornet captured
• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 30 May – single hornet captured
• Etchinghill, Kent: 30 May – single hornet captured
• St Margarets Bay, Kent: 24 May – single hornet captured
• Canterbury, Kent: 24 May – nest destroyed
• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 22 May – single hornet captured
• Alkham, Kent: 22 May – single hornet captured
• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 21 May – single hornet captured
• Etchinghill, Kent: 17 May – single hornet captured
• Denton, Kent: 17 May – single hornet captured
• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 13 May – single hornet captured
• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 13 May – single hornet captured
• Lympne, Kent: 10 May – single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in April

• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 25 April – single hornet captured
• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 24 April – single hornet captured
• Four Oaks, East Sussex: 16 April – single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in March

• Romford, East London: 27 March – single hornet captured
• Ash, Kent: 11 March – single hornet captured

2023: confirmed sightings

Confirmed sightings in November

• Rye, East Sussex: 15 November – nest destroyed
• Tenterden, Kent: 1 November – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in October

• Folkestone, Kent: 27 October – nest destroyed
• Canterbury, Kent: 24 October – nest destroyed
• Dover, Kent: 17 October – nest destroyed
• Folkestone, Kent: 17 October – nest destroyed
• Ashford, Kent: 12 October – nest destroyed
• Deal, Kent: 4 October
• Canterbury, Kent: 4 October – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in September

• Southampton, Hampshire: 29 September – nest destroyed
• Dover, Kent: 27 September – nest destroyed
• Oxted, Surrey: 26 September – 2 nests destroyed
• Yarm, North Yorkshire: 25 September – nest destroyed
• Hackney, London: 22 September – nest destroyed
• Eastbourne, East Sussex: 20 September – 2 nests destroyed
• Tenterden, Kent: 18 September – nest destroyed 
• Southampton, Hampshire: 15 September – 2 nests destroyed
• Lower Herne, Kent: 15 September – nest destroyed 
• Deal, Kent: 15 September – nest destroyed
• Hull, Yorkshire: 15 September – 2 nests destroyed
• Hastings, East Sussex: 15 September – nest destroyed
• Folkestone, Kent: 15 September – nest destroyed
• Southend on Sea, Essex: 14 September – nest destroyed
• Dover, Kent: 4 September – 2 nests destroyed
• Dover, Kent: 1 September – nest destroyed
• Folkestone, Kent: 1 September – nest destroyed
• West Downs, Kent: 1 September – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in August

• Canterbury, Kent: 26 August – 2 nests destroyed
• Rochester, Kent: 25 August – 2 nests destroyed
• Thamesmead, London: 22 August – nest destroyed
• Maidstone, Kent: 22 August – 2 nests destroyed
• Dover, Kent: 22 August – nest destroyed
• Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent: 21 August – nest destroyed
• Folkestone, Kent: 16 August – 2 nests destroyed
• Maidstone, Kent: 15 August – 2 nests destroyed
• Newhaven, East Sussex: 15 August – nest destroyed
• Deal, Kent: 14 August – nest destroyed
• Folkestone, Kent: 14 August – (2 separate sightings) 4 nests destroyed
• Folkestone, Kent: 11 August – 2 nests destroyed
• Folkestone, Kent: 10 August – 7 nests destroyed
• Folkestone, Kent: 9 August – nest destroyed
• Maidstone, Kent: 7 August – 2 nests destroyed
• Portland, Dorset: 7 August – nest destroyed
• Deal, Kent: 6 August – nest destroyed
• Folkestone, Kent: 4 August – nest destroyed
• Portland, Dorset: 4 August – nest destroyed
• Whitstable, Kent: 3 August – nest destroyed
• Deal, Kent: 2 August – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in July

• Plymouth, Devon: 27 July – 2 nests destroyed
• Dover, Kent: 26 July – single hornet captured
• Gravesend, Kent: 24 July – nest destroyed
• Shepherdswell, Kent: 5 July – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in June

• Deal, Kent: 28 June – nest destroyed

Confirmed sightings in May

• Canterbury, Kent: 31 May – single hornet captured
• Ashford, Kent: 23 May – single hornet captured

Confirmed sightings in April

• Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland: 11 April – single hornet captured

2022: confirmed sightings

• Rayleigh, Essex: 27 September – nest destroyed on 30 September
• Felixstowe, Suffolk: 29 April – single hornet captured

2021: confirmed sightings

• Portsmouth, Hampshire: 29 October – nest destroyed on 31 October
• Ascot, Berkshire: 8 October – nest destroyed on 11 October

2020: confirmed sightings

• Gosport, Hampshire: 8 September – nest destroyed on 11 September

2019: confirmed sightings

• Christchurch, Dorset: 10 October – nest destroyed
• Christchurch, Dorset: 1 October – nest destroyed
• Ashford, Kent: 9 September – single hornet captured
• Tamworth area, Staffordshire: 2 September – nest destroyed
• New Milton, Hampshire: 3 July – single hornet captured

2018: confirmed sightings

• Dungeness, Kent: 15 October – single hornet captured
• Guildford, Surrey: 28 September – single dead hornet
• Brockenhurst, Hampshire: 26 September – nest destroyed
• New Alresford, Hampshire: 24 September – nest destroyed
• Fowey, Cornwall: 20 September – nest destroyed
• Hull, Yorkshire: 9 September – single dead hornet
• Liskeard, Cornwall: 7 September – single dead hornet
• Fowey, Cornwall: 3 September – nest destroyed
• Bury, Lancashire: 13 April – single hornet sighted with photograph

2017: confirmed sightings

• Woolacombe, Devon: 26 September – nest destroyed

2016: confirmed sightings

• Bath, Somerset: 13 October – single hornet captured
• Lower Langford, Somerset: 30 September – single hornet captured
• Tetbury, Gloucestershire: 19 September – nest destroyed