Record-breaking Asian hornet nest found in pump

Ms Henney asked islanders to check their outbuildings for signs of an Asian hornet nest

A primary Asian hornet nest containing active workers has been found in Guernsey at the earliest ever time of the year.

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.

The States said the nest that had been found in an old water pump was significant because it had active workers in it

Julia Henney, 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.

"They are 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."

Julia Henney said the find was "extraordinary for Guernsey"

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 Henney 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 Henney 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 [e-mail].