Asian hornet: Cork City nest removed as hunt for second suspected nest in Cobh underway

An Asian hornet. File picture: Getty

The first-ever Asian hornet's nest in Ireland has been safely removed from Cork City, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has confirmed, as the hunt for another suspected nest is underway in the Cobh area.

A four-day plan had been agreed to remove the nest, which was discovered in Cork last week, however, a successful operation took place on Friday.

The invasive species was spotted in a beer garden in Cork on July 31 by two UCC students and had threatened to “wreak havoc” with pollinators here.

Beekeepers and conservationists collaborated in a successful monitoring of the insect, which led to its nest.

In a statement on Friday, a spokesperson for the NPWS said it has “completed the safe control and removal of an Asian hornet nest from a site in Cork city.

"This is the first instance of a nest in Ireland, which posed a risk to native pollinators and commercial bee hives in the area”.

Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner understands that two Asian hornets have been captured in Cobh recently, but experts believe they might not be connected to the nest discovered in Cork City. 

They also believe some of the hornets could have arrived on vessels from France, rather than flying here. Another lone hornet has also been located in Dublin.

Individual hornets are usually scouts or workers who are not going to cause major difficulties on their own. However, a pregnant or fertile queen arriving in this country is a far more serious matter. As they multiply, the hornets risk destroying native pollinators and commercial bee hives.

Early estimates suggest around 1,000 hornets could have been in the Cork City nest. In France, nests have been found with colonies of up to 6,000 hornets.

It is understood that the Cork City nest was in a tree and personnel had to use a cherry picker to destroy it with pesticides. It will now be taken to the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) where it will be analysed, and a proper count of the hornets in it will be undertaken.

NPWS director of EU and international affairs Áinle Ní Bhriain said studying the nest will provide insights about its origins.

“We have learned a huge amount about effective responses from this initial phase, drawing from international best practice to track and control Asian hornet nests. All of this is informing and strengthening our response to this Invasive Alien Species of [European] Union concern. The NPWS-led taskforce and the Asian Hornet Management Group will continue to monitor the situation in areas where sightings have been reported."

Minister of state for biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said: “Since the first confirmed sighting of an Asian Hornet in the Cork city area, just over a month ago, the NPWS has been working tirelessly with experts from the NBDC [National Biodiversity Data Centre], NMI and with local beekeepers to locate a nest.

“Removing the nest today was a challenging, complex operation, conducted by NPWS officers for the first time in Ireland.

“I would like to pay tribute to the team of experts involved for their skill and speed in removing it safely. I would also like to thank members of the public and local businesses in Cork city for their co-operation and support over the past few weeks."

Two other sightings of the Asian Hornet in Dublin and Cobh have also been reported to the NBDC database for invasive species which are being “taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly when reported,” the minister said.

Intensive surveying and track and trace activities are being conducted to investigate evidence of further activity. The nest in Cork City was removed under strictly controlled conditions, following international best practice according to the NPWS.

The removal was undertaken by the NPWS South West Division, led by Regional Manager Declan O’Donnell working with the support of an expert from the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency, as well as the Irish Pest Control Association.

No confirmed reports of hornet near Fermoy

NBDC invasive species programme manager John Kelly said the authorities have received no confirmed reports of alleged appearances of the hornets in Bartlemy, near Fermoy, claims of which had been shared widely on social media.

He said the public “shouldn’t panic” but understands the reaction.

However, the scientist warned people who suspect they may have encountered an Asian Hornet nest not to tamper with it for their own safety and to take a picture from a distance away on a smartphone.

They should send any sightings of the creatures along with a photograph to the National Biodiversity Data Centre at www.invasives.ie