UK and USA sightings
This page provides information on the Asian Hornet in Jersey, Channel Islands. It is not relevant to the UK or USA or any other jurisdications.
Reporting sightings
Asian Hornet Watch app
The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app is available to download free of charge from the Apple andAndroid app stores.
The app allows you to take and send a picture and provides coordinates of the sighting. It also allows us to gather data on sightings.
Email
Send a photograph and location to the Asian hornet coordinator
Phone
Call 441633 and leave your name, contact number, the parish where the sighting took place and some brief information on what you saw
How to identify the Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina)
The key identifying features of Asian hornets are:
- body - generally dark in colour, black/dark brown
- rear - key feature is dark brown with a distinct yellow/mustard band
- waist - fine, bright yellow 'belt'
- legs - brown upper part with distinct yellow lower leg, in fact it is often called the yellow-legged hornet
- head - black head with orange / yellow face
- shape - sleek, wasp / hornet-like as opposed to plump, hairy, bee-like or fly-like with large compound eyes
- size - it is slightly smaller than the native European Hornet but larger than the Common Wasp. Worker hornets measure up to 25mm, queens 33mm in length
The Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina) is an invasive species. It is a highly aggressive predator of native insects and poses a significant threat to honey bees and other pollinating insects. It also feeds on fruit and flowers.
Important guidance for outdoor workers
This advice is for anyone working outside, commercially or privately, and applies to gardeners, tree surgeons, farmers, branchage contractors, roadside maintenance personnel, parks and gardens staff, footpath and countryside maintenance personnel.
examine the area before you start work
look for any unusual insect activity or anything that could be a hornet's nest
if you suspect unusual insect activity or a nest, stop
stay at lease 10 metres away and do not touch, disturb or cause vibrations around a nest
Early in the season the nests may be the size of a tennis ball, and from late July the size of a football and larger.
Nests are usually high in trees but also in:
brambles
hedges
building and roof spaces
cliffs
in the ground
They are usually well camouflaged amongst foliage and very difficult to see.
If you see an Asian hornet or a nest
Individual hornets
From November to June, if you are confident enough and it can be done safely, ideally the hornet should be captured and kept until advice is provided to you by the coordinator.
From July to October, once you have given the information to the coordinator, the hornet can be released. It would be helpful to know which direction the hornet flies off in.
Nests
All suspected nests should be reported and you should never attempt to disturb, remove or treat them yourself. Asian hornets have been known to defend their nest area aggressively.
Risk to human health
Asian Hornets present no greater threat to human health than wasps or the native European hornets, but people should be cautious if they suspect Asian Hornets in the area.
How to deal with a hornet, wasp or bee sting
Immediately move to a place of safety - one sting can lead to an aggressive reaction by more of the insects.
Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the sting site. Elevate the sting area if possible. Avoid scratching.
Symptoms
- a sting will usually cause a red, swollen lump. This may be painful and itchy, but symptoms should improve within a few hours to a few days
- some people have a mild allergic reaction and a larger area around the sting may become swollen and painful
Ask your pharmacist about painkillers, anti-itching creams and antihistamines.
Always seek medical advice if:
- the sting is in the mouth, throat or near the eyes
- fever, swollen glands for flu like symptoms develop
- symptoms don't improve or get worse
Serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Anaphylactic shock is a serious condition and urgent medical assistance should be sought.
Symptoms and how to deal with anaphylaxis are on the NHS website.
Further information
The Asian Hornet was introduced into Europe in 2004 and has since spread throughout France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. It arrived in Jersey in August 2016 and in the following year 17 nests were discovered and destroyed. 55 nests were destroyed in 2018 and a further 83 nests in 2019.
Asian Hornet Identification leaflet
Hymettus information sheet on Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina)
Hymettus information sheet on European Hornet (Vespa crabo)
NNSS information sheet on Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina)
gov.je