The UK could soon be hit by a new wave of killer Asian hornets this summer after the insects were spotted in the nearby Channel Islands. Fears that more dangerous hornets could be blown into the country from mainland Europe have been ignited since the sightings, which took place in Alderney and in the village of L’Islet in Guernsey earlier this month.
The species began to spread through Europe in 2004 after arriving in the south of France inside a freight ship. They were first spotted in the British Isles in late 2016 and increased in numbers in Southern England in 2021 after years of establishing themselves on Jersey and Guernsey.
Daily Star reports that the hornets are able to kill people with allergies with just one sting while they also pose a threat to the environment and native species, such as bees. Those living in the Channel Islands have therefore be warned to remain vigilant.
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Following the first sightings of 2022, Asian hornet project co-ordinator Francis Russell said: "We think these are coming fresh from France. The wind is set to be north-easterly through the next week.
"We tend to get Asian hornets during north-easterly winds or just afterwards. I think this is the start, I think more will be found."
Amid concerns that more hornets could be on their way, a spring queening project has been set up in Guernsey, in which more than 260 traps have been placed across the island over the last few weeks. Those behind the project hope they will catch hornet queens before they have a chance to make nests.
Despite the recent sightings, experts have added there is cause for optimism as the insects are being found quite late in the spring, which suggests they are likely travellers coming from France, rather than ones that have been on the island over the winter.
