6 days ago
Asian hornet spotted in Cork City sparks biosecurity alert for Ireland
An Asian hornet has been spotted in Co Cork, sparking a biosecurity alert for Ireland.
The hornet, also known as a yellow-legged hornet, poses a significant threat to biodiversity in Ireland, as even a single nest can devastate honeybee populations. It does not pose a significant public health risk.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said the hornet has since been captured and the Government has convened a taskforce to co-ordinate a response to the sighting, which was by a member of the public.
The hornet is native to Southeast Asia but has spread through Europe since being first identified on the continent in the south of France in 2004. Since then, it has spread to several other EU countries and the UK, where efforts are ongoing to halt its spread.
To date, Ireland has remained largely free from this invasive species, and the sighting in Cork is just its second verified sighting here.
The NPWS said a member of the public spotted the insect in the Cork City area and logged the sighting, with a photograph, on the National Biodiversity Data Centre's website. Entomologists at both the National Museum of Ireland and NPWS then confirmed the image as being an Asian hornet, triggering a rapid response protocol.
The NPWS said no evidence of a hornet nest or any other hornet activity was initially observed, but "subsequent surveillance led to the trapping of an Asian Hornet on August 12". It said "extensive monitoring will continue over the coming weeks" to determine if this is one individual Asian hornet or if there is "evidence of a larger population".
The sighting has triggered a Government-led response and a new taskforce — The Asian Hornet Management Group (AHMG) — has been established. Chaired by the NPWS, the AHMG also includes officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the National Museum of Ireland.
The NPWS survey team said it has engaged extensively with businesses, local communities and stakeholders in the area to raise awareness on how to identify an Asian hornet. Beekeeping associations have also been briefed on the matter.
The EU and International Affairs director for the NPWS, Áinle Ní Bhriain, said: 'NPWS and our partners have acted quickly to investigate the reported sighting of this species. An effective rapid response and public awareness is key to our approach.
"NPWS, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the National Biodiversity Data Centre, is working together to address the threat posed by Asian hornet, which will help ensure that the island of Ireland is prepared in the event of an increased threat.'
Minister of state for biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, said: 'Asian hornets are a threat to our native pollinators and our biodiversity. We must take even a single sighting very seriously."
He commended the NPWS for their quick response to the report, and their subsequent survey of the area. He said the incident also 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," he added.
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.
Members of the public have been asked to report any suspected sightings through the National Biodiversity Data Centre's Alien Watch reporting portal.
Anyone who suspects they have spotted an Asian hornet should not attempt to disturb or capture it. While they are not generally aggressive, they may sting if provoked.
The NPWS response team said photographs, location co-ordinates, and samples can be "extremely valuable" and noted that the creature can often be confused for native species such as the giant woodwasp, the dark giant horsefly, and the common wasp.
