First Asian hornet nest in Ireland located and set for removal
An Asian hornet nest has been discovered in Cork, the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, confirmed today.
The nest was located on Tuesday evening following intensive monitoring and survey work by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), supported by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the National Museum of Ireland and local experts.
The Asian hornet, which preys on honeybees and other pollinators, was first sighted in Ireland earlier this month. Mr O’Sullivan described the discovery as “worrying” but said international experience shows the species can be eradicated if action is taken quickly.
“Since the first sighting a team of experts engaged in a full and thorough search for any further activity and the possible presence of a nest,” he said. “Work is now under way to safely remove it.”
He paid tribute to NPWS staff, conservation rangers, Cork City Council, beekeepers and members of the public who reported sightings and provided photographs. “Surveying and monitoring of the area will continue until we are satisfied that there is no further evidence of activity,” he added.
The Asian Hornet Management Group was set up earlier this month in response to the initial sighting. It is chaired by the NPWS with input from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the National Museum of Ireland.
The public are advised not to approach or attempt to capture suspected hornets, which can sting if provoked, but instead to report sightings through the website invasives.ie. The species can be confused with native insects such as the giant woodwasp, the dark giant horsefly and the common wasp.
