Labour has been urged to "get a grip" on the threat of Asian hornets in the UK, as the number of sightings has skyrocketed by at least 150 per cent in a year.

The population of Asian hornets has soared since they first arrived in 2016, with one nest capable of killing 11 kilograms' worth of insects, posing a significiant threat to the UK's bee population.

People have been urged to report any sightings of Asian hornets on an official "Asian hornet Watch" app or email the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

The British Beekeepers Association said look out for insects with a wide orange stripe, black stomach and long yellow legs.

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The UK has recorded 73 sightings of hornets so far this year

Experts have warned that this year could be the worst ever for Asian hornets in Britain, as authorities need to take advantage of the "window of opportunity" before they become fully integrated.

The National Bee Unit said there had been 73 credible sightings in the UK as of the end of July, up from 28 during the same period last year.

The organisation discovered 28 nests so far this year, capable of housing up to 3,000 Asian hornets.

Ian Campbell from the British Beekeepers Association said it has been a "surge year" for the insect.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Campbell said: "There is significant worry that this year is going to be ahead of 2023, which is the worst year we've had so far."

He called for authorities to act to take out the species.

Campbell added: "The only way we're going to beat this and eradicate it is if every nest gets reported and every nest gets eradicated.

"They're not getting every nest each year at the moment."

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Ministers have called for the species to be eradicated

The invasive species are mostly found in Kent and East Sussex, with experts suggesting they mostly come into the country via trucks and other vehicles or by flying across the Channel.

Each nest can produce over 350 queens, capable of starting new colonies the following year if they survive the winter.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has only one staff member on call at any one time to destroy hornet nests, done on a rota system.

It said that it can source additional resources when required, but fears remain that the UK may not be ready to tackle the hornets sufficiently.