Britain's Unusual Summer Insect Activity Linked to Extreme Weather

In the summer of 2026, the United Kingdom has experienced a surge in sightings of the hummingbird hawk‑moth, a day‑flying moth that resembles a tiny hummingbird. The National Trust reported that sightings have risen sharply from eight recorded in 2021 to many across the country, including inland locations such as Stowe Gardens and even in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Wildlife Trust strategic lead on agriculture Vicki Hird described the numbers as "really unusual".

At the same time, Britain’s social wasp populations have been markedly quieter. Entomologists note a lack of wasp activity and fewer pest‑control requests, suggesting that extreme heat, erratic temperatures and unusual weather patterns this year may have reduced colony survival. Wasps play important ecological roles as pollinators, pest controllers and decomposers, so their decline could have broader environmental implications.

Both phenomena are being linked by experts to the 2026 heatwave and climate‑driven weather extremes, highlighting how shifting climate conditions are affecting insect behaviour and distribution across the UK.