2025 was a record-breaking year for Asian hornets (Image: Getty) Record numbers of invasive Asian hornets were spotted last year – as new evidence found in 2026 shows this bee-killing pest has spread further across the UK than previously thought.  The insect, also known as a yellow-legged hornet, is a harmful invasive species originating from east Asia and was first recorded in Europe in 2004. Earlier this month, a dead nest was found near Wrexham, prompting calls from the Welsh Government for people to be “vigilant” in the coming months and to report any suspected sightings. It is the first confirmed discovery of the insect in Wales. It follows a record year for Asian hornet sightings in the UK. In 2025, 161 nests were found and destroyed. A record 176 sightings of the insect have so far been confirmed by lab tests, but Defra (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) says there were 544 credible sightings last year.   This widget requires javascript to work. The previous record was in 2023, when there …