Warning as Asian hornet found in Northern Ireland for first time

"An Asian Hornet was captured by a resident in the Co Down area last Friday, October 10. It follows the discovery of two Asian hornet nests in Cork last month, with a third sighting of a lone hornet in Inchicore, Dublin. Otherwise known as Yellow-legged hornet, the Asian Hornet is a harmful invasive species originating from east Asia and first recorded in Europe in 2004."

"Individuals and nests are increasingly recorded in southern counties of England and two nests were found and destroyed in the Cork area of the Republic of Ireland earlier this summer. The species is a highly effective predator of insects including honeybees, wasps and other important pollinators, such as hoverflies. Due to its aggressive nature and feeding habits, it could have a serious impact on native insect biodiversity and on pollination services more widely."

An Asian Hornet was captured in the Co Down area on October 10, following recent discoveries of two nests in Cork and a lone sighting in Inchicore, Dublin. The Yellow-legged hornet originates from east Asia and was first recorded in Europe in 2004, with increasing records in southern England. The species preys effectively on honeybees, wasps and other pollinators such as hoverflies, threatening native insect biodiversity and pollination services. NIEA deployed live traps, visual surveys and specialist equipment to detect and, if necessary, trace, remove and monitor nests, assisted by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

Read at Irish Independent