Asian hornet invaders hit Garden of England

THE epicentre for an Asian hornet invasion of the UK has been revealed.

- By Jaymi McCann

Official government figures show eight of the 13 sightings this year of the highly invasive species, which could decimate native insects such as bees, have been in Kent.

The British Beekeepers’ Association also reported six further sightings in April, four of which were in the Garden of England county, renowned for its strawberries, apples and hops.

And pest controllers are warning the species is making its way north, with one being spotted in Shropshire this year for the first time. Asian hornets, also called yellow-legged hornets, are highly aggressive and a predator of smaller, native insects.