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The island's Asian hornet hunters are urging islanders to learn to spot the difference between their nemeses and the native European species amid growing false sighting reports.
Co-ordinator Alastair Christie, who last year won Environmentalist of the Year at the Pride of Jersey Awards alongside his team, stressed that instances of misidentification "take time" to process and has reminded the public of the differences between the insects.
The number of Asian hornet nests dealt with so far this year stands at more than 140, which is notably down from the same time last year when the team was on nest 244.
However, Mr Christie said that there had been an increase in the number of native European hornets being mistakenly reported to the group.
Pictured: The differences between the European hornet and the Asian hornet. (Government of Jersey)
Mr Christie explained: ”In previous years there have always been some species of insects that are confused with Asian hornets, as is completely understandable. Usually these have been wasps and hoverflies.
"However, this year native European hornet numbers seem to have grown so that, currently, the majority of the reports that I am receiving are actually of this insect and not Asian hornets."
Pictured: Asian hornet co-ordinator Alastair Christie said most reports being received this year were actually mistaken sightings of the European hornet.
He continued: "Processing and responding of these reports takes time, so it ideally I would seek to minimise the number of these mis-identification reports if possible.
“The nest locations are usually very different, with Asian hornet nests at this time of year, often being high up in the tops of trees.
"European hornet nests are usually much lower down and in a hollow cavity of some sort."
Pictured: At this time of year, Asian hornet nests are often found high up in the tops of trees.
Mr Christie added: "One other notable difference is that the European hornet will fly at night whereas Asian hornets never do.
"If reports are received of insects knocking themselves against a window after dark with the lights on indoors, I know straight away that these can only be European hornets.”
To report an Asian hornet sighting islanders can email asianhornet@gov.je with details and a location.
Attaching a photo helps to verify the identity of the insect.
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