Recently a nest was discovered inside a compost bin at a property in Trinity, while others have been found on rock faces, inside an embankment on a country lane and within brambles.
But a colony’s decision to build a nest on the cliffs at Portelet backfired – after it was washed away by the recent big spring tides.
Volunteer Asian hornet hunter John de Carteret said: ‘Two years ago we were being told that they only ever nest at the top of trees and they never build nests within 250 metres of another one. That thinking is completely gone now. We have had the recent nest in a bin, one underground, others in brambles and on rock faces, and it is these nests that are low to the ground that really pose the greatest danger to people.’
A farmworker was stung multiple times last month when he disturbed a nest within a bank on Les Ruettes in St Saviour while carrying out the branchage.
Mr de Carteret added: ‘The recent nest in the compost bin was discovered when a lady picking brambles nearby saw the insects flying around and sent us a photo. This is exactly what we want people to do, as it is essential we destroy as many nests as possible.’
By yesterday, a total of 55 nests had been found since the spring, with the majority being discovered in the north-east of the Island.
A number of Asian hornets have also been spotted in southern England and the Midlands during recent weeks, demonstrating how the invasive insects are moving further north after arriving in the south of France more than ten years ago.
Sightings can be reported by emailing asianhornet@gov.je, phoning 441633 or through the Asian Hornet app.
