Asian Hornet Strategy – 2024 Spring review
Asian hornets first arrived in Guernsey in 2017. The Asian Hornet Strategy (2019-21) was implemented to control populations of this highly invasive non-native species. Asian hornets pose a public health risk which becomes more significant when they successfully colonise a new area and their numbers increase. When disturbed, they will attack repeatedly and in greater numbers compared to other stinging insects e.g., wasps. A large nest can produce up to 5,000 hornets/season and a colony has been shown to consume 11.32kg of insects (equivalent to 97,000 prey) in one season. Once established, hornets pose a significant threat to our island’s biodiversity, in particular our native pollinators and honeybees.
How is the States Asian Hornet Team “Spring Queening” trapping programme going?
Compared to 2023, which was an exceptional year for hornets arriving on island throughout
May-June, this year has been much quieter and more like previous springs. To date they
have captured 11 queen Asian hornets; 8 in traps, 2 caught inside properties, and 1 at her
primary nest.
Sark have been much busier with 20 queens trapped. Herm have trapped two. Alderney
have captured 69 queens and two primary nests. Jersey report 115 queens and 20 primary
nests.
When will the 2024 trapping programme come to an end?
The last official day for the 10-week spring trapping period will be Sunday 9th June. All traps
should be taken down after this time as any surviving queen hornets will be restricted to the
nest as the new workers take up foraging duties. The AHT will be out and about across the
parishes from Monday 10th, collecting traps and any leftover Trappit bait, everything is
retrieved, cleaned and ready for next year.
What happens next?
The next step for the Asian hornet team is to wait until they receive confirmed reports of
worker hornets – typically in July and August. This next phase of hornet control is called
‘Track don’t Trample’. Moving into late summer/autumn is the time when beekeepers
should be monitoring their hives to see if any hornets are targeting honeybees. It is
important not to trap and kill these workers as the team need to actively track these
hornets to locate their large secondary nests. We are hoping that they won’t be as busy as
last year when they had to find and destroy 14 of these large secondary nests!
Thank you for supporting the AHT in the essential work to control this invasive predator.
Everyone can play a role by remaining vigilant and looking out for Asian hornet.
Please report all sightings with a photo to asianhornet@gov.gg or WhatsApp to 07839 197082
Control of Asian hornets will depend on continued funding of staff/resources. Most importantly, the vigilance + and support of the general public is vital. Thank you for helping us in this valuable work – Project Coordinator.