There are fears potentially deadly insects could be about to invade the UK after a dramatic rise in numbers in Jersey.

The Asian hornet reached the Channel Islands in 2016 when it was accidentally introduced in France in 2004 and then spread across Europe.

Alistair Christie, who in charge of protecting the public in Jersey from the venomous yellow-legged hornets (vespa velutina), told Sky News there were “17 nests in 2017, compared to 55 last year” – which were destroyed.

He said of the some 200 reported sightings of the creatures, 85 were Asian hornets – while the rest turned out to be wasps and bees.

And just like in wasps and bees, an Asian hornet sting could prove fatal to someone allergic to the venom.

They could go into anaphylactic shock and die, often with minutes.

The beekeeper, with 17 years’ experience, said a nest was found and destroyed in Gloucestershire in 2017 – and that “UK authorities are on high alert and taking what measures they have to”.

Mr Christie also added that Asian Hornets can be a huge threat to honeybees and other wildlife.

Authorities in Jersey say the National Bee Unit will be sending two teams of six UK bee inspectors to Jersey in August.

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