Invasive Asian hornet populations are expected to soar as the UK experiences unusually hot weather.
The Met Office is predicting 2026 to be one of the hottest years on record, following an unseasonably hot spring.
But experts warn the heat could trigger an increase in activity among Asian hornet queens, which are already increasing in numbers across southern England.
“What makes 2026 particularly concerning is the acceleration we’re now seeing in both sightings and geographical spread,” Asian hornets expert Luke Newnes said.
“We’re no longer talking about isolated coastal incidents. Sightings are appearing much further inland, and many experts now believe the focus has shifted from eradication to long-term management,” he added.
This species of hornet pose a risk to British honeybees, as they make up about a third of their diets along with moths, flies and other insects.
These insects were once only found in south-east Asia, but warmer weather has allowed them to flourish in Europe.
First sighted in the UK in 2016, a decade later the insects have survived their first winter.
Research compiled by gardening specialists Hillarys identified the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) as one of the highest-priority invasive pest threats facing UK gardens.
Last year, there were 544 Asian hornet sightings with 161 nests confirmed – more than double the previous annual peak.
A single nest can produce around 350 queens before autumn and new queens can disperse up to 50 miles before hibernation.
Experts now warn eradication may no longer be possible within the UK.
Mr Newnes said: “The concern with Asian hornets is how quickly populations can scale once queens establish successfully in spring. Right now, across April to early June, queens are still operating alone before colonies expand, which means this is the only realistic opportunity to disrupt nests before numbers grow significantly later in the summer.”
He urged people to “stay vigilant” and report sightings quickly via the Asian hornet app, which allows people to report sightings to the National Bee Unit, and said not to attempt to remove nests themselves as they can become aggressive.
Mr Newnes said: “Homeowners should keep an eye on flowering plants, fruit trees and areas with high bee activity, where hornets are often seen hovering while hunting pollinators.
“If a nest is suspected, it’s extremely important never to approach or attempt to remove it yourself, as Asian hornets can become aggressive when disturbed. Beekeepers in particular should be inspecting hive entrances regularly throughout spring as activity begins to increase.”
