19 October 2021 – The latest edition of the Beecraft magazine contains details of how the Asian Hornet nest in Ascot was found. It was one of the biggest nests yet found in the UK and was 20m up a poplar tree. It was barely visible from the ground.

12 October 2021 – NBU inspectors have been able to track Asian Hornets back to a nest in Ascot and destroy it. Searches continue for any other hornets in the area. The gov.uk  pages will be updated soon. 

8th October 2021 – Beekeepers and members of the public are being asked to remain vigilant after an Asian hornet was spotted in the Ascot area of Berkshire.

This is the first confirmed UK sighting since September 2020, when one Asian hornet nest was identified and destroyed near Gosport, Hampshire.

Defra’s Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Nicola Spence said:

By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. That’s why we are working at speed to locate and investigate any nests in the area following this confirmed sighting.

While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than other wasps or hornets, we recognise the damage they can cause to honey bee colonies and other beneficial insects.

Please continue to look out for any Asian hornets and if you think you’ve spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.

Visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/asian-hornet-identified-in-ascot for fuller details.