'Cork is a mecca for Asian hornets', beekeepers warn

The public is urged to be vigilant in order to keep the insect under control

The Asian hornet, also known as the yellow-legged hornet or Asian predatory wasp, is of concern as an invasive species. File picture

'Cork is a mecca' for Asian hornets and any queen insects hibernating there will soon emerge as Spring approaches, beekeepers have warned.

Last year, there were 36 reported sightings of the invasive species that threatened to wreak havoc with biodiversity here.

There were also two nests removed.

But as the spring months draw closer, beekeepers are asking the public again to be vigilant in order to keep the insect under control.

There have been no further reported sightings of the Asian hornet since September according to the Department of Housing which oversees the National parks and wildlife Service.

A department spokesperson said: “Monitoring at the nest sites continued for several weeks after the nests were removed, and no further activity was detected." 

However, Colette O’Connell, a third-generation beekeeper from Waterford, told the Irish Examiner that any mated queens that may have successfully overwintered here will emerge from hibernation in February or March.

“They are not gone; this needs ongoing vigilance,” she said. 

They will continue to come in from other countries, and we are going to see it arriving from Europe and Britain.

“The Government has been following the British model and we know from Jersey that from February to March that new queens will emerge from winter hibernation.

“The nest in Cork City which was first spotted here possibly came from a queen in hibernation, or a new arrival early in the season, but research is ongoing. 

"Cork is a mecca for the Asian hornets. There are loads of high trees and covers for them for nest sites. Cork City has loads of nesting possibilities."

She said the insects nest in buildings and in doorways and are easy to spot as was the case with the nest located in Belfast at the end of the summer months near a caravan park.

We know from colleagues in Galicia that they like sitting nests near waterways, along the coast. Cork is ideal for this very successful apex predator.

‘We beekeepers believe in spring trapping as is done in Jersey and elsewhere. Every spring trapped queen means a nest that will not have to be tracked and removed later in the season. We can be certain that they will be here again this year."

Last year, there were 36 reported sightings of the invasive species.

She said all beekeeping groups on the island of Ireland are working together.

“We met with government officials in December, and we would be really keen to see spring trappings for any possible mated queens that might be around once the cold spell is gone."

In May 2023, the local government in Cherbourg confirmed the presence of just under 10,000 nests in the area of Cherbourg, France. 

Ireland has regular summer ferry crossings from Cherbourg and Roscoff.

Meanwhile the NPWS said it “will continue to lead the national readiness and respond to Asian Hornet incursions". 

It said: "The National Biodiversity Data Centre will lead on mapping verified sightings of Asian Hornet and developing further reporting systems."