BRITS have been issued an urgent warning after an 'explosion' of killer Asian hornets swarmed parts of the UK.
The invasion of these dangerous pests has begun on the Channel Island of Jersey, where nearly 500 killer queens were caught.
These insects are the largest of their species in the world, and were once dubbed "murder hornets" from the aggressive attacks they carry out on other hives, wiping them out in hours.
They decapitate other bees, wasps, and hornets and then use the bodies to feed their young.
For larger targets, the huge hornets deploy their potent venomous stinger, which is equivalent to that of a venomous snake and has been likened by victims to being stabbed by a hot metal prong.
If the nests on their British "frontline HQ" aren't destroyed, they could start spreading across the UK, according to experts.
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The nasty stinging bugs also put bees at risk, and could potentially wipe them out completely.
Last year a whopping 55 queen killer Asian hornets were captured along with a staggering 174 nests.
But these numbers have massively soared, with 438 queens caught so far in 2023.
Asian-hornet co-ordinator Alastair Christie said the numbers were ''an unprecedented, astronomical increase''.
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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 dangerous species of hornet infected countries across Europe from 2004 after being brought in on a freight trip in the south of France.
Their stings have killed at least five people in France, and victims can die within minutes of being attacked unless they receive urgent medical treatment.
They have been recorded in Jersey since the end of 2016, with the problem continuing to grow.
In a worrying development, they have now reached Southern England, while experts try to stop them spreading into the mainland.
The Asian hornets are able to kill with one sting, for those who have an allergy.
They could also be detrimental to the ecosystem and environment in which they settle.
This comes as the venomous insect was recently spotted in the Folkestone area of Kent – with the last sighting in the county being in 2019.
Qualified beekeeper Sue Kittle urged people to be cautious and warned of the danger of the species.
The 55-year-old told KentOnline: "These hornets are very defensive of their hives and can do what is called a mass attack.
"You should not approach their nests."
She added: "This is an invasive species that can attack and eat our honey bees.
"It can change the whole nature of the bee hives here.
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"We need to track them down and find out if this sighting is the beginning of a nest."
And, in 2016 the first UK mainland sighting was confirmed in Gloucestershire, and a second was confirmed in 2017 in Devon.
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