Guernsey Asian hornet warning ahead of Storm Kathleen

Suspected Asian hornets should be trapped in a glass and reported to Guernsey's Asian Hornet Team

Islanders have been warned of a potential "increase in Asian hornet activity" over the weekend.

Guernsey's Asian Hornet Team said it was "expecting" to see an increase in activity as temperatures were expected to rise due to Storm Kathleen.

Asian hornets found at this time of the year "will be queens", the team said.

They urged anyone who found a suspected Asian hornet to take a photo and report it as soon as possible.

The hornet feeds on honey bees by biting the heads off and eating the rest of the insect, with a detrimental impact on pollination of native plants.

The team said the aim was to stop the queens nesting.

'Generally docile'

The team said: "Last spring we were sent photographs showing live queens discovered inside three different properties, one in in St Peter Port and two in the Vale.

"These hornets either escaped or were released at a time when we are actively trying to catch these queens.

"They are generally docile away from the nest and we have not heard of anyone being stung by a queen hornet.

"So where possible try and trap it under a glass or jar and send us a photo so we can confirm ID and come and collect it asap."