UK could be overwhelmed by Asian hornets as sightings on the rise, experts warn
An expert has warned the UK could be overwhelmed by aggressive Asian hornets unless authorities take action soon.
The Channel Island of Guernsey is currently battling an invasion by the insects and there have been 74 confirmed sightings in the UK since 2016, including 69 nests. Around 6,000 Asian hornets can come out of each nest, including as many as 500 new Queens, which can have a major impact on society.
Francis Russell, Asian Hornet Strategy Coordinator for the States of Guernsey, warned that Britain must work fast to eradicate the population before they cause a profound economic, public health, and environmental impact. Mr Russell said: "Due to the arrival of hornets each spring, the annual eradication of hornets is considered the only achievable goal.
"The threats are universal and apply equally across any region in Europe where conditions would allow this insect to successfully colonise. One only has to research the situation in other European countries to see how far they have extended their distribution range since the original (accidental) introduction to France in 2004.
An 'alarming' record number of Asian hornet queens have been caught this year in Jersey (SWNS)"'One only has to research the situation in other European countries to see how far they have extended their distribution range since the original (accidental) introduction to France in 2004." The insect is thought to have made its way onto the UK's shores in 2016 in Tetby, Gloucestershire, and last month, 24 nests were destroyed in Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, Yorkshire, London, Sussex, Kent and Essex - compared to just two sightings last year, according to MailOnline.
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Mr Russell added: "This expansion in our island’s hornet populations in the first two years was cause for concern which was supported by the evidence of a similar occurrence on the neighbouring island of Jersey." Brits are urged to report any sightings of Asian hornets as a new report warns they could spell disaster for the UK’s wildlife.
The number of sightings of the invasive predators has rocketed from two in 2021 and 2022 to 22 confirmed so far this year. As sightings continue to rise, it means catastrophe for native species. The aggressive predator is also a major threat to Britain's biodiversity because 30 per cent of its diet is made up of honeybees, which can threaten pollinating insects and beekeeping activities.
While they are no more dangerous than a normal wasp, the hornets can kill people with allergies with just one sting - and are far more aggressive than native species. And if one hornet sings an intruder they may be attacked by many more - leading to a heightened risk that the victim will be stung multiple times, which can lead to multiple organ failure even if the person is not allergic.
Government workers are trying to find and destroy all the hornet nests to stop them from staying over winter and multiplying. But “the situation looks ominous”, according to bumblebee expert professor Dave Goulson.
“If even one nest evades detection and reproduces it will then probably become impossible to prevent them establishing,” he told the Guardian. It was “inevitable” the hornets would become established in the UK, he warned, spelling doom for native bees.
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