An asian hornet’s sting is so powerful it can cause victims to go into anaphylactic shock, dying within minutes from being attacked. More than 80 Queen hornets have been spotted on Jersey in the Channel Islands which are known to be a staging post for insects flying from France to the UK. Earlier in March, asian hornet nests were found in New Alresford and Brockenhurst in Hampshire’s New Forest tourist hotspot, with rising fears the killer insects could make a return this summer.
Asian hornet stings have killed five people in France over the years.
The latest victim was a 57-year-old man from Normandy, who died a week after being attacked by the insect.
Alastair Christie, Jersey’s Asian hornet co-ordinator, said 13 “active nests” have been destroyed already, compared to just 12 nests found last year.
He said: “While the increased amount of sightings is partly down to people being more aware, it is also undoubtedly due to the fact that there are more of them on the island this year.”
A National Bee Unit spokesman said: “If you suspect that you have found an Asian hornet, you can send a suspect sample to the NBU laboratory for examination.
“Use a suitable sturdy container – cardboard rather than plastic – and provide as much detail as possible about the hornet and where you found it.”
However, some experts have warned the public not to mistaken British hornets for their Asian cousins.
A spokesman for Buglife said: “Our native hornets are quite docile and if you leave them alone they are unlikely to sting. Their nests are to be avoided though.
“Most of the sightings of supposed Asian hornets are in fact of our native European hornets.
“You can identify them easily from photos. There is a website you can report sightings to run by Defra.
“There are a lot of cases of mistaken identity. People don’t see native hornets that often.
“I am concerned that native hornets are being mistaken for Asian hornets, and being killed unnecessarily.
“Our native hornets and other social wasps play an important part in maintaining a healthy countryside.
“They pollinate some plants, and they help to control crop pests, so they are really very useful creatures.
“But I would encourage anyone who suspects they have found an Asian hornet to please report it to Defra.”