AI could become a key tool in the fight against Asian hornets, technology experts have said following trials last year.
Jersey’s team of volunteer trackers saw their workload increase significantly in 2023 as they destroyed a record 338 nests – almost double the 174 found the previous year.
The invasive insects, which have spread across Europe over the past 20 years and were first seen in Jersey in 2016, prey on honey bees and are considered a major threat to local wildlife.
But it is hoped that new technology currently being trailed by Exeter University and a private company could help the team try to control the population.
The tracking team have been working with the university for several years, and in 2023 also took part in a trial with Cornwall-based The Far Out Thinking Company arranged by Digital Jersey.
During meetings in the Island, volunteer hunter Bob Hogge showed TFOTC team the methods used to locate nests, which involves volunteers trapping hornets at bait stations, marking them, and monitoring their movements.
The UK-based company now hope to develop AI to identify hornets flying between nests and the stations.
Mr Hogge said: “The idea is that a camera would be placed at the bait station and when an Asian hornet flies into it, it would send out an alert to whoever is monitoring it.
“They did a trial last year and they are looking at how the camera would recognise an Asian hornet, as opposed to a European hornet, wasp or bee.”
If the trial was deemed a success – and funding was available – the technology could be rolled out across the Island, according to Digital Jersey.
Chris Knight, Digital Jersey’s head of business development, said: “Digital Jersey is delighted to be working with The Far Out Thinking Company (TFOTC), utilising the Jersey Sandbox to test and develop AI technology which will hopefully help Jersey and the UK in the fight against the invasive Asian hornet.
“TFOTC was introduced to DJ by their partner Innovate UK EDGE with whom we collaborate to develop mutual opportunities for our members.”
