Asian hornet sighting sparks fears of nest

An Asian hornet has been spotted in a village, sparking fears of a nest.

The hornet was seen on 28 May in Mordon, County Durham, when the insect flew out of a polytunnel.

A National Bee Unit inspector has visited the area and put up monitoring traps.

Ian Campbell, from the British Beekeepers' Association, explained that just one queen hornet "could set up a nest".

"What we are worried about is increasing numbers of Asian hornets in the UK," he said.

"We are seeing really scary numbers from the Channel Islands and we have had a very warm spring.

"The entire problem with hornets in Europe began with a few in the south of France 20 years ago.

"All it takes is one queen, so we don't take any reports lightly at all."

There is still no confirmed origin of the hornet in Mordon, despite local monitoring.

Mr Campbell added: "There is no apparent way of the hornet arriving there.

"It either managed to fly over the Channel or made it over through the transportation of goods."

In 2025 there have been 24 sightings in England of Asian hornets so far, with concerns the number of nests needing to be destroyed will eclipse the 24 last year.

The invasive species feeds on native bees and wasps, damaging diversity.

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