Asian hornets have been discovered in Somerset for the first time, raising concerns about their spread across England. The hornets, which are native to China, were located by a beekeeper in a woodland in Ashcott, near Street. The beekeeper tagged the hornet and tracked it to its nest in a bramble patch, which was subsequently destroyed. The incident was reported to the county's Asian Hornet Action Team (AHAT).
Asian hornets are known for preying on other insects, particularly native bees. A single hornet can consume up to 50 honey bees in one day, while a queen hornet can eat approximately 11.3 kg of insects, equating to about 90,000 insects in a season, which can severely impact local ecosystems. Their sting is reported to be extremely painful and has been linked to fatalities in other regions.
The discovery in Somerset marks the 53rd nest found in England this year, following 163 nests located in 2025. Lynne Ingram, head of Somerset's AHAT, expressed hope that this would be the last nest found in the county and emphasized the need for vigilance to locate nests before the mating queens emerge and enter hibernation.
Mark White from the East Dorset Beekeepers Association noted that the Asian hornet population is increasing rapidly in southern counties. He highlighted that the conditions in the UK are favorable for the hornets, which thrive in warmer temperatures similar to their native habitat in China. Each nest can produce around 300 queens, leading to potential population surges if nests are not removed.
Asian hornets first arrived in France about 20 years ago in a shipment from China and have since spread across the continent, posing a threat to over 1,000 native species, including honey bees, bumble bees, and butterflies. The public is encouraged to report any sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app.