"Surprise" as hornet hunters find first nest of the year

Tuesday 02 January 2024

While some may have welcomed the new year with a headache and sense of regret, the members of the Jersey Asian Hornet Group kicked off 2024 with a rare sighting...

Asian hornet co-ordinator Alastair Christie explained that it was a "surprise" to find a "completely intact nest" at this time of year, as they normally die off around November or December.

The nest was reported to the team at the weekend.

Mr Christie said: "As far as we know we've never found one like this so late in the year, particularly with the recent weather damaging nests."

Pictured: The Asian hornet nest was spotted about 5m off the ground in a hazel tree on a property off Les Routeurs, St Peter.

The Asian hornet co-ordinator attributed the late sighting to the "sheltered position" of the nest, which is about 5m off the ground in a hazel tree on a property off Les Routeurs, St Peter.

"It must have avoided the full force of Storm Ciarán," he said.

Mr Christie added that, despite the high winds, the temperature had actually been quite mild for this time of year which he said could be another factor contributing to the nest still being alive.

Jersey Asian Hornet Group volunteer John de Carteret reported that final number of nests reported on the island in 2023 now totals 338.

This is compared to the 174 nests found during 2022.

The invading hornets are a problem for the local ecosystem as they are a proven predator of native insects, posing a threat to honey bees and other pollinators.

Mr de Carteret echoed Mr Christie's opinion that the timing of the most recent nest sighting was "unusual".

He said: "Normally the nests die off going into winter, leaving only the new queens deep in hibernation.

"This is the first 'active' nest found in Jersey to still be alive at this time of the year.

"Although it's unusual here in Jersey, it does happen in southern Europe."

Pictured: "This is the first 'active' nest found in Jersey to still be alive at this time of the year."

Mr Christie explained that the active nest now raises some questions, such as what the hornets have been eating to sustain themselves for so long and if the nest is still fertile.

He said that the Jersey Asian Hornet Group volunteers hope to "retrieve the nest as intact as possible" to be able to provide answers to the questions.

The Jersey Asian Hornet Group have previously worked with the University of Exeter to use samples of larvae to work out what the hornets have been eating, and Mr Christie hoped this could happen again.

REPORT A HORNET...

Islanders can report sightings of Asian hornets or their nests by emailing asianhornet@gov.je – attaching a photo if possible – or by calling Asian-hornet co-ordinator Alastair Christie on 441633.