Asian Hornet alert highlights crisis challenges facing beekeepers and honey producers

The Asian Hornet was sighted and photographed by a member of the public in Cork city.

A small wasp has triggered a national biodiversity alert in Ireland after being found in Cork city three weeks ago.

The Asian Hornet was sighted and photographed by a member of the public who reported the finding to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

Epidemiologists at the National Museum of Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service confirmed it was the feared invasive species.

No evidence of a nest was initially observed, but subsequent surveillance led to the trapping of an Asian Hornet on August 12.

Monitoring has continued to determine if this is just one individual or if there is evidence of a larger population.

A survey team has engaged extensively with businesses, local communities and stakeholders in the Cork area to raise awareness on how to identify Asian Hornet.

It is typically about 2-3 cm in length and mostly black and brown with an orange face and tail and yellow legs.

The species is active between April and November, but especially in August and September.

Yellow-legged Asian hornets can rapidly decimate entire beehives and are seen as a lethal threat to pollinators. But they do not pose a significant public health risk.

The wasp, which is native to east Asia, was first detected in Europe in 2004. It is thought to have arrived in France on a consignment of pottery from China. It has since spread to several countries.

Bees are its main prey with potential consequences for honey production. But the species does not pose a significant public health risk.

Members of the public are being asked to remain vigilant and report any suspected sightings through the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s Alien Watch reporting portal.

The first sighting of the Asian Hornet in Ireland was that of a single individual in north Dublin in 2021 but it was not associated with a wild viable population.

Following the latest confirmed sighting in Cork, a new taskforce was set up by the Government, which is co-ordinating efforts, gathering further information and monitoring the situation.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan said Asian Hornets are a threat to native pollinators and 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,” he said.

Minister O’Sullivan urged everyone to be vigilant and inform themselves so that they can recognise and report any sightings of the Asian Hornet.

In 2019, the total value of honey produced in Ireland was estimated at €4.2 million, based on a production of 205 tonnes.

Senator P. J. Murphy (FG) speaking in the Upper House in March, said a meagre €600,000 was allocated to the apiculture sector to assist 4,400 Irish beekeepers in 2019.

This critical sector is facing massive challenges through the importation of non-native bees and the associated problems, as well as the importation of non-EU honey and honey-like substances sold for a pittance on supermarket shelves.

He said a breakdown of the allocation between beekeepers averages out at €136 each over the five-year period of the scheme, or €27.27 on average per annum per producer who qualifies.

That borders on an insult to an industry facing a lot of challenges, he said, calling for the creation of large-scale sanctuaries for the native Irish honeybee.

Senator Murphy said this should be done through financial incentives for farmers and landowners as well as the designation of all State-owned land to this status.