'Killer wasp' warning as guidance issued on how to identify Asian Hornets

Irish Daily Mirror

a day ago

The public is being urged to stay vigilant and report any sightings of the invasive Asian Hornet after one was captured in Cork.
The confirmed sighting - only the second in Ireland - was made by a member of the public and reported to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. A photograph submitted with the report allowed experts to verify the species, triggering a rapid response.
Survey teams were dispatched, and while no nest was initially found, a hornet was trapped on August 12. Monitoring will continue to determine if it was a lone arrival or part of a larger population.
The first confirmed Irish sighting happened in April 2021, when a single hornet was discovered in a garage on Dublin's northside. How it entered the country remains unknown.
The Government today said that the Asian Hornet is considered a serious threat to Ireland's biodiversity. Even a single nest can wipe out local honeybee populations - leading to the term "killer" - but officials say the species does not pose a significant public health risk.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, described the situation as urgent. He said: "Asian Hornets are a threat to our native pollinators and our biodiversity. We must take even a single sighting very seriously. NPWS responded quickly to this report, with a team of experts rapidly tasked to monitor and survey the area. One individual was captured and a co-ordinated response is now underway through a new cross government taskforce who will continue to monitor the situation. We are also very grateful for the support of beekeepers and their associations in this endeavour." An Asian hornet (Image: Chris Luck / SWNS)
He stressed the importance of public awareness, adding: "This incident shows us that members of the public are our eyes on the ground. Early detection is key if we are to prevent the establishment of this invasive species. I urge everyone to be vigilant and inform themselves so that they can recognise and report any sightings of the Asian Hornet to help us contain this invasive species and protect our biodiversity."
Guidance on how to identify Asian Hornets has been issued. The species can easily be mistaken for native insects, including the giant woodwasp, dark giant horsefly or common wasp. While generally non-aggressive, the hornet may sting if provoked, so members of the public are advised not to disturb or attempt to capture it. What are Asian Hornets?
Asian Hornets, also known as Vespa velutina, are sometimes referred to as "killer wasps" due to their aggressive behaviour and the significant threat they pose to honeybee populations and, to a lesser extent, humans. Graphic showing the difference between Asian and European hornets (Image: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said: "The Asian Hornet is a predator of honeybees, wasps, other pollinators such as bumblebees, hoverflies and spiders, which it uses primarily to feed its larvae. These prey are important for pollination of crops as well as wild flora and disruptions to their populations may have serious impacts on biodiversity and pollination services. Honeybees are its main prey with potential consequences for the honey production sector. However, the potential of the hornet to become invasive in Ireland is dependent on its successful establishment of colonies here." Confirmed sightings of Asian Hornets in Ireland
The first confirmed Asian Hornet in Ireland was recorded in April 2021, when a single specimen was discovered in a garage on Dublin's northside. Verified by Dr A. O'Hanlon of the National Museum of Ireland, the insect was preserved in the museum's collection. How it arrived in the country remains unknown.
Today marks only the second verified sighting on Irish soil. Spotted recently in the Cork area by a member of the public, the insect's identification led to the capture of an Asian Hornet on August 12. Experts are now investigating whether it was a lone arrival or part of a wider population. Can Asian Hornets kill humans?
A single Asian Hornet can kill multiple bees per day, and a small group can decimate an entire hive, leading to the term "killer".
Unlike honeybees, Asian Hornets can sting again and again. The sting of an Asian Hornet is said to be particularly painful and can cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals, leading to medical emergencies. Multiple stings from Asian Hornets can cause significant pain, allergic reactions, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening. An Asian hornet queen
In their native Asia, particularly in countries like Japan and China, there are occasional reports of fatalities every year due to stings from various hornet species, including the Asian Hornet. In Japan, an average of 20 to 40 people die each year from hornet, wasp and bee stings combined.
The NPWS said: "Asian Hornet will also sting people but in general, the sting is no worse than a sting from any bee or wasp in Ireland. The reaction experienced by people from their sting varies – as it does with wasp or bee stings – from most commonly a mild localized hive like throbbing swelling to more rarely, a severe reaction of anaphylaxis." How to identify an Asian Hornet
According to Biodiversity Ireland: "Workers can be up to 25mm long, while queens may reach in excess of 30mm, which is considerably larger than any of our wasp species. The thorax is a velvety dark brown or black and the abdomen is dark with the exception of the 4th segment, which is yellow.
"Legs have yellow tips, from which it takes its other common name the 'yellow-legged hornet'. The head is black with an orange face. Males can be differentiated from workers by their lack of a stinger.
"ID features to look out for: Queen up to 3 centimetres & worker up to 2.5 centimetres long
Dark colour antennae
Long orange face
Entirely brown or black thorax so no stripes on the middle/thorax section.
Abdomen mostly black except for yellow band across the 4th segment with orangey-coloured lower segments.
Legs yellow at the ends
It has a small thin stinger that is retractable so normally not visible." What to do if you spot an Asian Hornet
The NPWS has advised the public to become familiar with the identification features of Asian Hornet. Report suspected sightings in Ireland though the National Biodiversity Data Centre's Alien Watch reporting portal here. What to do if an Asian Hornet stings you
If an Asian Hornet stings you, you should immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and cool water, and apply ice to slow the venom from spreading further. If you have trouble breathing, visit an A&E as you may be allergic to the sting.
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