Asian Hornets in Jersey

As the spring weather warms, a recent addition to Jersey’s biodiversity begins to rouse. Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax, also known as yellow legged hornet) queens emerge from hibernation to create new nests.

 
Asian Hornets were accidentally introduced to France in 2004 and have since spread throughout France, Spain and into Portugal and Italy. Being so close to the Cotentin Peninsular it was only a matter of time before it arrived in Jersey. The first Jersey sighting was in August 2016.

The Asian Hornet is a highly aggressive predator of native insects and poses a significant threat to honey bees and other pollinators. It also feeds on other insects, fruit and flowers. The Asian Hornet presents no greater threat to human health than wasps or the native

European hornets but people should be cautious if they suspect Asian Hornets to be in the area and should not approach a suspected Asian Hornet nest, as they have been known to defend their area aggressively. Jersey’s ongoing policy is to control this non-native invasive species through identification and eradication of the nests. In 2017 seventeen nests were discovered and destroyed and fifty-five in
2018.

Get involved!
This year (2019) a plan is being implemented whereby States of Jersey staff, together with numerous volunteers, will be monitoring reported sightings and tracking hornets back to their nests where they can be destroyed. If you would like to assist with this work please contact the coordinator on the contacts below.

If you suspect you have found an Asian Hornet or nest, let us know! Or download the Asian Hornet Watch app to your smartphone.

Alternatively please email a photograph (if possible) and location information to asianhornet@gov.je or call the Asian Hornet Hotline on 441633

For further information see:

Asian Hornet sightings, identification and reporting
Asian Hornet update 2017

Download these guides to help you spot Asian hornets
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/downloadDocument.cfm?id=646
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/downloadDocument.cfm?id=872

Alastair Christie
Asian Hornet Coordinator
asianhornet@gov.je

Photos credited to John de Carteret (top) and David Walker (bottom).