Record-breaking Asian hornet nest found in Guernsey
The earliest-ever primary Asian hornet nest containing active workers has been found in Guernsey.The nest was found inside the housing of an old water pump in Les Mauxmarquis in St Andrew last week.The States of Guernsey said this nest was "quite different" to two other nests already found because the number of active workers is "something that we'd expect to see in three or four weeks' time".The invasive species, first discovered in the Channel Islands in 2016, feeds on native bees and wasps, damaging biodiversity.
Julia Henny, the senior natural environment officer for the States of Guernsey, said the find was "extraordinary for Guernsey".She said Asian hornet activity had matched spring in starting earlier this year.There had been "a huge increase in Asian hornet numbers this year" across the Channel Islands, she added."Unfortunately this spring we've had fairly consistent quite strong easterly winds and really they just helps blow them all over from France," she said."This is right on our doorstep - there's very good populations in France and every year, they will try and make their way over to establish here so we have to be vigilant every single spring."
The States said record numbers of queen Asian hornets have been captured in Guernsey this year with 63 recorded, the majority of which were caught by volunteers in traps. It said this was the highest number of queens since the Asian hornet strategy was implemented in 2019.Ms Henny said: "Asian hornets are not meant to be here. "They evolved in Asia and unfortunately, when they've been sort of taken out of that ecosystem and plonked in a new one, they don't have any of those predators and pests and diseases so there is nothing to keep that populations in check."Following the find, Ms Henny reminded islanders to check sheds, outbuildings and even bird boxes for signs of an Asian hornet nest.She asked anyone who suspects they have found an Asian hornet or nest to send a photo and details to the Guernsey Asian hornet team via asianhornet@gov.gg.
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