EXPERTS have issued an urgent warning after ‘killer’ Asian hornets were spotted in a seaside town.
The dangerous pests that already stung ten people on the Channel Islands last week, were seen in Plymouth in Devon.
The sighting sparked a fresh warning for the public to be “on guard” amid fears of an invasion of Asian Hornets.
DEFRA warned today that more of the alien bugs have turned up on mainland Britain, in Plymouth and in Kent, fuelling fears they are spreading just as the summer holidays begin.
It is understood one was found attacking bees around a solar wax extractor.
Ten people in Jersey in the Channel Islands sought urgent medical treatment after being attacked by the killer bugs last week.
Defra’s Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Nicola Spence said: “By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets.
“That’s why we are working at speed to locate and investigate any nests.
“While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than other wasps or hornets, they can cause damage to honey bee colonies and other beneficial insects.
“Please continue to look out for any Asian hornets and if you think you’ve spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.
“Asian hornet nests will be smaller at this time in the year but we are still asking people to be vigilant.”
Posters have now been placed across the area urging the public to check boats and vehicles on their return from trips abroad.
The sighting has also prompted several warnings on social media.
Ashgrove Farm, in Tavistock, posted: “If you have bees in Plymouth, please check your hives.
“If you have a garden, land, hedgerows, outbuildings, trees, caravans, trailers, or sheltered storage, please check for nests.
“The Asian Hornet can wipe out a colony of bees, in a matter of hours, as they feed on the live bees and pupae inside the hive.
“If you have recently returned from a holiday, via the ferry, please check under your trailers and caravans for nests.
“Please also check for nests when out walking your dog, or while looking up in the trees in parks and woodland areas.
“If you own a boat which is moored in the Tamar, or has been recently craned out, please check it for nests.
“Do not try to destroy any nest, but notify Plymouth Branch – Devon Beekeepers’ Association on Facebook, or @plymouthbeekeepers on Instagram. You can also message us direct, or post pictures of any suspected sightings here.
“A sting from an Asian Hornet is a lot worse than a sting from a wasp or bee, so do not put yourself in harm, or take any risks.
“They will not sting you, unless provoked, so do not worry or panic.”
Sightings on mainland Britain have been rare and the spread has largely been contained stopping the hornets from naturalising.
But Jersey is still considered the UK’s frontline in the battle to stop a full-blown invasion and has seen a huge increase this year.
In 2022 55 queens were caught on the Channel Island and 174 nests were discovered.
But last month authorities reported that 438 queens have already been trapped so far this year – which could point to a mass rise in the number of nests.
Asian-hornet co-ordinator Alastair Christie said the numbers were ”an unprecedented, astronomical increase”.
He said: ”Despite catching 438, we may find that there are as many, if not more, nests than last year. We just don’t know at the moment.”
Experts say tracking the hornets’ flight paths will lead them to nests which can be wiped out.
John de Carteret, head of the Jersey Asian Hornet swat squad, said the number of nest-making Asian Hornet queens found on the island since the start of spring now totals 476.
They were spotted in the British Isles on the Channel Island of Jersey in late 2016.
But after years of establishing themselves on Jersey and Guernsey, the battleground shifted last year to Southern England.
This led to calls for a “people’s army” to help fight off an impending invasion of killer hornets onto mainland Britain.
The hornets are able to kill with one sting among people who have an allergy while they also pose a threat to the environment and native species.