The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed 13 sightings of yellow-legged hornets so far this year in the UK.
Defra said that sightings are considered confirmed when a specimen has been analysed by an official laboratory with a positive outcome.
In a statement, Defra said: “There have been 13 confirmed sightings of yellow-legged hornets in the UK in 2025. There have been a total of 158 confirmed sightings of yellow-legged hornet since 2016.
“This figure includes a total of 111 nests, all of which were destroyed.”
Confirmed sightings in 2025
Confirmed sightings in April
Nonington, Kent: April 30: single hornet captured;
Broad Oak, Kent: April 29: single hornet captured;
Sandwich, Kent: April 27: single hornet captured;
Marchwood, Hampshire: April 23: single hornet captured;
Folkestone, Kent: April 19: single hornet captured;
Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire: April 17: single hornet captured;
Langley, Kent: April 16: nest destroyed;
Ramsgate, Kent: April 14: single hornet captured;
Appledore, East Sussex: April 13: single hornet captured;
Deal, Kent: April 12: single hornet captured; and
Marchwood, Hampshire: April 8: single hornet captured.
Confirmed sightings in March
Canterbury, Kent: March 20: single hornet captured.
Confirmed sightings in January
Oswestry, Shropshire: January 24: single hornet captured.
You can report sightings of the yellow-legged hornet, by clicking here.
