British beekeepers are urging the government to launch a national awareness campaign about the growing threat posed by Asian hornets, which they say are creating "pollinator deserts" and endangering food security. Native to Southeast Asia, the yellow-legged hornet is believed to have first arrived in Europe in 2004 and has since spread across the continent. Warmer springs and summers may be contributing to their increasing numbers, making them a more pressing concern each year. As summer draws to a close, the species reaches a critical stage in its life cycle: mature colonies produce fertile new queens that will hibernate through the winter and then emerge the following spring to establish new nests. This expansion threatens native pollinators and the ecosystems they support. Asian hornets are an invasive species that primarily feed on other insects, including honeybees. Kate Wilson, head of the National Bee Unit (NBU), which oversees bee health in England and Wales, said the hornets are causing significant harm to native pollinators. Lucie Chaumeton, a trustee of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) and a beekeeper herself, emphasized that the impact of the hornets extends beyond beekeeping, affecting human safety, biodiversity, and food production. "Asian hornets leave behind pollinator deserts, which have a serious impact on food security and the agricultural economy," she said. The UK government has been aware of the threat for years. A risk assessment completed in 2011 led to the development of a strategy aimed at preventing the hornets from becoming established in the UK. The main approach involves locating and destroying nests before they can reproduce and spread further. The effectiveness of this strategy is measured by the number of nests found and destroyed. In 2025, the NBU destroyed a record 161 nests, but genetic analysis of nests found in 2024 showed that some queens had successfully survived the winter and established new colonies. This highlights the importance of early intervention, particularly during the spring when emerging queens can be targeted. Public involvement is a crucial part of the effort to control the spread of Asian hornets. The NBU relies heavily on reports from the public and volunteer teams from the BBKA to identify and confirm sightings. Once a nest is confirmed, the NBU is responsible for its destruction. In 2024, nearly 30,000 sightings were reported, leading to the identification of 24 nests. However, Chaumeton noted that the problem is often still seen as a "beekeeping issue" rather than a broader threat to national biodiversity. She called for more government-led awareness campaigns to ensure the public understands the seriousness of the situation. Technology is also being tested to improve detection and response, including radio transmitters on hornets and an AI system called VespAI. While these tools have shown promise, Chaumeton stressed the need for sustained government commitment to eradication efforts. She and Wilson encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app and online platforms.