Asian Hornet

First Yellow‑Legged Hornet Nest Found in Oldham

Date: 2nd September 2026

The first Yellow‑Legged Hornet (Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax) nest has been discovered in Oldham, marking a significant moment for invasive species monitoring in the North‑West. Although individual hornets have been reported in the other parts of the North West region in previous years, this is the first confirmed nest in the area.

This was the first time Yellow‑Legged Hornets have been seen hawking at the front of bee hives and has caused local beekeepers great concern due to the voracious appetite of the hornet for insects.

A member of the public reported a suspected hornet via the Asian Hornet Watch app on 11 August, which was quickly confirmed by authorities. Working alongside DEFRA Bee Inspectors, a small team of local beekeepers successfully tracked the nest on 19 August, locating it high in a tree where it was extremely difficult to spot. The nest was destroyed on 28 August, and specialist tree‑climbers are scheduled to remove it next Friday.

Collaboration Across the Region

The response to this sighting involved coordinated support from experienced Asian Hornet Teams across the North‑West, strengthening the search effort and contributing to the safe and efficient tracking of the nest. Members from Manchester & District BKA and Lancashire & NW BKA are working together to help monitor across the region in the fight against the invasive species Yellow-legged hornet.

Public Asked to Join September Monitoring Week

The British Beekeepers Association is calling on the public to help spot Yellow‑Legged Hornets during 7–13 September, when reproductive hornets are actively mating. A single nest can produce 300 new queens, and in warm conditions more than 1,000 have been recorded.

Identification sheets are widely available, and sightings should be reported through the official apps found in standard app stores. Members of the public must not disturb any suspected nest. Yellow‑Legged Hornets are highly defensive; their sting can be dangerous for people with compromised health, and they can spray venom that causes severe eye irritation. Anyone who inadvertently disturbs a nest should leave the area immediately.

Quote: Dave Heaton, Regional Lead for Yellow‑Legged Hornets

“Finding the first nest in Oldham is a reminder that vigilance matters. The public report was crucial — it allowed us to act quickly with DEFRA inspectors and prevent a potentially large population from establishing. Early reporting saves wildlife, protects pollinators, and helps us stay ahead of this invasive predator.”

Notes for Editors:

A Serious Threat to UK Biodiversity

The Yellow‑Legged Hornet is a voracious invasive predator and poses a major threat to native insects, including honeybees. An average nest consumes around 11kg of dry insects — roughly 100,000 individual insects — during a season.

Accidentally introduced into France in 2004 via a shipment of pottery, the species spread rapidly across Europe after slow early intervention. In the UK, DEFRA follows a strict locate‑and‑destroy strategy to prevent establishment. Incursions typically arrive via shipping or strong winds, with most detections concentrated along the south coast.

As of 27 August, the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit (NBU) has received further credible reports of Yellow‑Legged Hornets. To date, there have been 157 sightings in 2026, resulting in the identification of 49 nests.

About Dave Heaton -  Lancashire & North‑West Beekeepers Association

Dave Heaton has been a beekeeper for over 20 years and manages around 30 hives in and around Clitheroe. He is Chair of East Lancashire Beekeepers (ELBKA), providing training across Burnley, Pendle and the Ribble Valley. ELBKA is part of Lancashire & North‑West Beekeepers, where Dave serves as the regional lead for Yellow‑Legged Hornet monitoring and response.

Contact dave.heaton@lancashirebeekeepers.org.uk