First Asian hornet of 2022 caught in trap
THE first Asian hornets of the year have been found in Guernsey.
Selina Bichard found the first in a trap in her Les Baissieres on Thursday afternoon while she was gardening.
She is taking part in the spring queening project – a scheme in which more than 260 traps have been placed across Guernsey over the last few weeks, aimed at catching queens before they have a chance to make nests.
Ms Bichard has been involved with the scheme since it started about three years ago.
This was the first time she has caught an Asian hornet.
‘It was unmistakable,’ she said. ‘It was exciting.’
She got involved with the scheme as she was keen to support bees. Asian hornets target bee nests and hives later in the season.
Asian hornet project coordinator Francis Russell said the first Asian hornet in the Bailiwick was caught in Alderney in Tuesday and that immediately made him concerned that the creatures might soon be in Guernsey.
‘We think these are coming fresh from France,’ he said.
A second hornet was reported dead on the roadside in L’Islet this week. Mr Russell said the journey from France could have been too much for the insect, although he also noted the one found in Ms Bichard’s garden was alive and very angry. So far there is no pattern for the insects, so it was important for islanders to be vigilant.
He said the wind direction was likely to be the reason for the recent sightings.
‘The wind is set to be north-easterly through the next week,’ he said.
‘We tend to get Asian hornets during north-easterly winds or just afterwards. I think this is start. I think more will be found.’
However it is not all bad news. The fact the insects are being found quite late in the spring means they are likely travellers coming from France, rather than insects that have overwintered in the island.
Mr Russell noted that by comparison, more than 20 hornets had been found in Jersey so far this year, as well as two primary nests.
