Hornet spotted under cherry net led to nest

It was discovered in a tree just off La Rue des Portelletes, Torteval, following a report by a sharp-eyed member of the public.

Asian Hornet strategy team co-ordinator Francis Russell said the public’s help was vital if the insect was to be kept under control.

‘There are 24 square miles in Guernsey and only two of us, so Asian Hornets could be anywhere,’ he said.

He said a neighbour some 200m from the site reported seeing what they thought was an Asian Hornet in a net they were using to protect cherries.

This was confirmed by a photograph and bait stations were placed in the surrounding area which enabled the team to see where the insects were coming from.

In April and May each year some 500 traps are put out across the island which attract the Queens and those making primary nests which are about the size of a golf ball. Nine Queens and two primary nests were destroyed during this period.

A secondary nest is where the workers have built a nest for the Queen and can feed new hornets. The nests can grow to up 50cm and look like a wasp’s nest.

The hornets feed on native pollinators such as bees, and those living in one nest can consume up to 11kg of other insects during a single season.

‘This one was high in a tree but we have found them in earth banks, walls and hedges,’ said team field and research officer, Damian Harris.

‘That poses a danger to people with risk of multiple stings and allergic reactions and some can end up in hospital.’

The weather this year was favourable to the likes of Asian Hornets and wasps as it allowed uninterrupted nest building.

In Jersey a total of 88 nests have been discovered this year but Mr Harris said there were numerous things to note. Jersey was bigger, closer to France, had a different strategy to Guernsey, and recorded findings differently.

Three secondary nests were found in Guernsey last year and none in 2020. The first Asian Hornet was found in Guernsey in 2017 and in Jersey the year before.

‘If we can keep it under five nests a year, I think we can hold it to a low level and its a bit like Covid in the sense that we need to keep the curve flat,’ said Mr Russell.

Anyone who thinks they might have seen an Asian Hornet is asked to report it and not to kill it.

‘It might not be a hornet and might not need to die,’ said Mr Russell.

‘We would ask people to watch where they go and ideally provide photographs wherever possible. We don’t want people to think that they are wasting our time as this is our job.’

n People can mail asianhornet@gov.gg, visit the States Asian Hornet web page, or go to Asian Hornet Team Guernsey on Facebook.