Photo credit G K Bradbury

An Asian hornet was found in a potting shed by a member of the Ash Horticultural Society, Kent on Friday 8th March and reported through the Asian Hornet watch app. The hornet was collected by an Animal and Plant Health Agency bee inspector the same day, and confirmed on 11th March. The finding was around 5 miles from a nest found and destroyed in 2023, near Canterbury, Kent.

The National Bee Unit encourages beekeepers and the public to familiarise themselves with the appearance of the Asian hornet using our ID sheet, after 72 nests were found and killed in England during 2023.

Please report sightings of Vespa velutina using the Asian hornet Watch app for Apple devices android devices or online form.

Please direct all media enquiries to Defra Press Office.