Asian hornet nest discovered in Cork city

An Asian hornet nest has been found in Cork city, close to where one of the insects was spotted earlier this month.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan said that the nest was located on the south side of Cork.

It comes following an “intensive effort” by the National Parks and Wildlife Service NPWS.

Further sighting of the Asian hornet was confirmed in recent weeks which trigged further surveying and monitoring by a team recently set up.

The Asian Hornet Management Group have consulted with experts from the UK and are monitoring the situation closely.

NPWS said it will continue working work with National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) and other experts to determine the safest approach.

Experts from the UK have been advising, it added.

The Asian hornet 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 because of its aggressive nature and feeding habits, it could have a serious impact on native insect biodiversity and on pollination more widely.

The location of sightings and monitoring activities are not being disclosed for operational purposes.

The Asian hornet is not generally aggressive, but it may sting if provoked.

The public have been advised not to approach or attempt to capture a suspected individual but instead report any suspected sightings through the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s reporting portal and include a photograph if possible.

The Asian hornet, native to south-east Asia, has spread through continental Europe and poses a major ecological risk.

A single nest can devastate local honeybee populations.

Ireland has so far remained largely free from the invasive species, making early interception efforts particularly crucial, the department said.

The Asian Hornet Management Group is chaired by the National Parks and Wildlife Service with representation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, National Biodiversity Data Centre and the National Museum of Ireland.