Asian Hornet numbers quadruple but under control
GUERNSEY has managed to keep a handle on the recent spike in Asian hornet populations that are currently causing major issues in Jersey, however annual numbers have still increased fourfold.
In 2022 nine queen hornets were captured in the Bailiwick by the Asian Hornet Team with two primary nests being removed.
This year that number is up to 37 queens and three nests, two in bird nest boxes.
Asian Hornet strategy co-ordinator Francis Russell explained the rise.
‘Guernsey’s numbers have definitely increased this year but the evidence, date of trapping queens from 24 April onwards, and random island-wide distribution, strongly suggests all of our Asian hornet queens are a result of annual incursions from France.’
He added that the problem in Jersey has spiralled, with 468 queens being caught so far this year.
‘Jersey are much closer to the French coast that us, also they are dealing with “home grown” hornets that hibernated on-island after leaving quite a few nests that were not controlled in time last autumn.’
The disparity between the islands is down to Guernsey implementing a trapping scheme quickly and decisively in only the second year of the Asian hornet invasion.
Guernsey’s scheme, written by the Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management services team in 2018, was adopted and funded as a three-year trial by the Committee for Environment & Infrastructure.
Jersey waited four years after having their first nests to act.
‘Jersey’s environment department were initially very opposed to this concept but did eventually come round to implementing it in 2021, at first in the north-east of the island and latterly more widely, but nothing like the high density we have adopted in Guernsey,’ said Mr Russell. 'This, combined with being considerably closer to France geographically, and missing nests in the autumn, may account for the differences we are now seeing in numbers of queens caught this year.’
Jersey had its first nests in 2017 but neglected tackling queens until 2021.
This year it has been successful using the ‘Spring Queening’ method and will put more traps out next year.
