A nest of invasive Asian hornets has been discovered in Somerset, marking the first recorded sighting in the county. The nest was found in a bramble patch in a woodland clearing in Ashcott, near the town of Street, after a local beekeeper noticed a hornet near his beehives and alerted authorities. Responders tagged the hornet, which led them to the nest, which was then destroyed. This is the 53rd nest found across England this year, following a total of 163 nests discovered in 2025. Asian hornets are native to Southeast Asia and are considered a serious threat to over 1,000 native UK species, including honey bees, bumble bees, and butterflies. They are known for their aggressive behavior and ability to decimate bee colonies, which are vital for pollination. The public is encouraged to remain alert and report any sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app. These hornets can be identified by their bright yellow legs, black thorax with one orange band, and an orange face. Lynne Ingram, head of Somerset's Asian Hornet Action Team, expressed hope that this would be the county's "first and last" nest. She warned that teams are working against the clock to eliminate nests before queen hornets mate and hibernate next month. A single queen hornet can consume 11.3kg of insects—approximately 90,000 bugs—during a season, which can severely disrupt local ecosystems. Mark White, from the East Dorset Beekeepers Association, noted that Asian hornet numbers are increasing "exponentially" in southern counties. He emphasized that the impact of these hornets extends beyond beekeeping, affecting various aspects of life. The hornets have no natural predators in the UK, and the local climate is similar to their native habitat in China, allowing them to thrive. Asian hornets are believed to have first entered France in Chinese pottery cargo around 20 years ago and have since spread rapidly across Europe. They primarily prey on honeybees, causing significant damage to colonies in France and Italy. First detected in the UK in 2016, sightings have mainly been concentrated in Kent and East Sussex. These hornets can destroy up to 50 bees daily and deliver a painful sting that can be dangerous for people with allergies. White added that the spread of Asian hornets has now reached northern Spain, France, the Channel Islands, Belgium, the Netherlands, and southern England, emphasizing the need for public vigilance in spotting and reporting nests to prevent further spread.