Jersey’s Role Deemed Crucial in Halting Asian Hornet Spread

Researchers assert that Jersey is “essential” in aiding efforts to prevent the proliferation of Asian hornets across the UK. Dr. Thomas O’Shea-Wheller from the University of Exeter indicated that Jersey was regarded as an “ideal sandbox” for testing systems designed to detect and eliminate nests. Consequently, an EU-funded study, spearheaded by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) in collaboration with the university, concluded that the insect’s spread in the UK has been contained thus far. Dr. O’Shea-Wheller remarked: “Both the Government of Jersey and Jersey Asian Hornet Group were essential in allowing us to test our system with live hornets in the field.” He further stated: “I also believe that Jersey has provided substantial expertise and training to teams from the UK, thus supporting efforts to detect and eradicate nests.” He added: “Jersey is something of an ideal sandbox, since they have plentiful Asian hornets, and a wealth of expertise relating to their tracking and control.” According to the study, the species is already well-established in Jersey, where it has been known to kill 50 bees a day. The non-native Asian hornet was first observed in the UK in 2016, with subsequent regular sightings occurring since then. This included 44 recorded instances in 2024, predominantly in Kent and East Sussex. Dr. Richard Hassall, the lead author of the study from the UKCEH, commented: “No significant spread has yet been reported in the UK while there has been recent establishments in Germany and the Netherlands.” He continued: “Our predictions suggest that the attempts to tackle the yellow-legged hornet [Asian hornet] in these countries [the UK] have so far been successful in limiting its spread.” Dr. Hassall attributed this success to: “This is due to the fantastic efforts by vigilant members of the public who report suspected sightings of yellow-legged hornets, then rapid action by the authorities to locate and eradicate the insects and nests found.” The study identified regions in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, the UK, and Ireland where the climate and habitat were highly suitable for the hornets. Experts reported that by December 2023, the hornet had established itself in France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Jersey. The study revealed that without intervention, the Asian hornet could have become established across a minimum of 1,680 sq km (650 sq miles) of the UK by 2020. Furthermore, the study projected that by 2026 – a decade after its initial UK sighting – the hornet could have been established in 44-66% of the country’s areas with suitable climate and habitat. Experts explained that despite individual sightings in the UK since 2016, no country-wide spread occurred because all nests were successfully removed. The study, published in the British Ecological Society’s Journal of Applied Ecology, suggested that surveillance and prompt eradication attempts contributed to restricting the hornet’s proliferation.