Vigilance urged after sighting of rare Asian hornet in Cork

The public has been urged to be vigilant after the sighting of a type of hornet which is extremely rare in Ireland.

An Asian hornet was spotted in the Cork area last week.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said there have been no sightings so far in the region but urged caution, warning of a potential impact on local populations of pollinators.

Ireland’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) confirmed a recent sighting and subsequent capture of an Asian hornet in the Cork area.

It is described as a highly effective predator of honey bees, wasps and other important pollinators, such as hoverflies.

The huge size of its colonies, consisting of up to 10,000 individuals per season, means it can rapidly decimate bee numbers, and due to its aggressive nature and feeding habits, it could have a serious impact on native insect biodiversity and on pollination more widely.

An NIEA spokesperson said the recent sighting was the second confirmed record of an Asian hornet in Ireland.

“This recent sighting acts as a timely reminder of the potential for the Asian hornet to reach Northern Ireland,” they said.

“This is the second confirmed record of Asian hornet in Ireland, with the National Parks and Wildlife Service continuing its monitoring to determine whether this is an isolated individual or part of a larger population.

“While there have been no confirmed sightings in Northern Ireland to date, a precautionary approach is essential here.

“Members of the public and local beekeepers are asked to remain vigilant for sightings of the Asian hornet.

“Early detection and nest destruction are critical to achieving eradication following any confirmed sighting.”

They added: “The NIEA is working in partnership with NPWS and the National Biodiversity Data Centre to address the threat posed by (the) Asian hornet, as part of the All-Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative, which will help ensure that the island of Ireland is well prepared.”

Suspect sightings in Northern Ireland should be reported alongside a photograph of the insect to the NIEA, via the Asian Hornet Watch app at: https://www.brc.ac.uk/app/asian-hornet-watch or via CEDaR online recording at: http://www2.habitas.org.uk/records/ISI.