The UK could be facing a record invasion of killer Asian hornets - after an 'astronomical' rise in their population.
The 'explosion' of the dangerous bugs has been recorded on the Channel Island of Jersey - their UK 'frontline HQ'. The battle there is seen as vital to stop the spread of the insects that could invade Britain and decimate the native bee population.
The hornets are able to kill with one sting among people who have an allergy. Known to be very defensive of their nests, the hornets can swoop down and sting in 'mass attacks' if they feel threatened - making them a frightening health risk to people who suffer from anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction to insect stings.
They also pose a threat to the environment and native species such as native honey bees, with a single group able to destroy a hive of 30,000 bees within hours.
In 2022 on Jersey 55 queens were caught and 174 nests discovered. This year 438 queens were trapped - 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."
The species began to spread through Europe in 2004 after arriving in the south of France inside a freight ship.
They were was 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 British Beekeepers Association is now asking everyone to look out for Asian hornets and report any sightings on a dedicated phone app.
Nature experts have however urged people not to kill British hornets, which are a benign native species favoured by gardeners and farmers.
