Asian hornets have been identified in London for the first time, following a “sudden increase” in recorded UK sightings.

The hornet was discovered in a garden in Thamesmead last Saturday by an amateur beekeeper, specialists later located the nest nearby. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have confirmed the nest is to be destroyed this week.

Confirmed sightings of the invasive species have doubled this year alone, with over 20 reported, including 16 this month, with almost 30 nests destroyed in the UK so far.

Asian hornets, also known as Vespa velutina are known to be “highly aggressive predators” and pose a significant threat to native insects, particularly honeybees. According to The British Beekeepers’ Association, one hornet can hunt down and eat 30 to 50 honeybees in a day.

Dr Gavin Broad, principal curator in charge (insects) at the Natural History Museum, told the Standard that “increasing public awareness of the hornets is key to preventing them from getting a foothold.”

More information on how to identify an Asian hornet can be found here.