The discovery of the first Asian hornet in Wales has prompted an 11-week trapping campaign in the north of the country. If any of the destructive wasps are found, the initiative will switch to “outbreak response” status to find and destroy nests.
In January the Welsh Government announced an Asian hornet had been found dead in its nest “near Wrexham” – now known to be Caergwrle, Flintshire. It is believed the wasp – also known as yellow-legged hornet – was killed by a pest controller in autumn 2025.
Cardiff has since asked the National Bee Unit (NBU) to undertake targeted Spring trapping in the area, placing selective traps within a 5km-radius of the Caergwrle nest. This will start in mid-April and continue until the end of June.
In a statement, the NBU said: “If sightings of yellow-legged hornet are confirmed during this period, and evidence supports the likelihood of worker activity, the NBU will switch to outbreak response and will commence actions to find and destroy nests.
“This is considered to be the most effective control mechanism against the yellow-legged hornet.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
The wasp, an invasive, non-native species from southeast Asia, arrived in Europe in 2004. Since then, there have been sightings across the Continent as well as parts of the UK.
The Asian hornet is a highly efficient predator with no natural UK predators that can devastate native honeybee populations. Its potential arrival in Wales is worrying farmers, beekeepers and conservationists as the insect could disrupt pollination and biodiversity.
The Asian hornet is also known as the Yellow-legged hornet or Asian predatory wasp(Image: Getty Images)
Experts fear that if the Caergwrle nest managed to produce queens, the wasp may be established in Wrexham and Flintshire already. Online, a nearby beekeeper said he was “absolutely bricking it”.
For now the trapping campaign will focus on the Caergwrle area only. The NBU said: “At this stage, Welsh Government is not committing to wider or routine Spring trapping across Wales.
“Future decisions will be based on the pattern of any further nests, the developing evidence and expert advice. Our approach will remain precautionary, proportionate, and led by the best available science and evidence.”
In the meantime, the NBU is encouraging beekeeping associations in Wales to establish Asian hornet teams. It added: “Having a network of teams across Wales, to report sightings of yellow-legged hornets and to heighten awareness in communities, will help us stop this invasive insect from spreading.”
The public also have an important part to play by reporting any they see in Wales. The Welsh Government has produced an identification guide to help people distinguish Asian hornets from similar-looking native insects. This can be found here.
Sightings can be logged via the Asian Hornet Watch mobile app, or by using an online report form. A photograph and the location of the sighting will be required with each report.
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