Overview

• The National Bee Unit reports 429 credible sightings and 112 nests nationwide as of 11 September, a sharp rise on previous years.
• Beekeepers and coordinators are urging the public to report suspected insects via the Asian Hornet Watch app or AHA Catch and to avoid approaching nests.
• Monitoring shows the species has overwintered in the UK and Ireland in recent years, heightening the risk of local establishment.
• Researchers say a single nest can destroy a beehive in two to three days, with hornets hunting honeybees and other pollinators.
• Some outlets cite higher local totals, but officials emphasize national counts, underscoring the need for consistent reporting.