Small but deadly: Asian hornets that have arrived in Ireland can pack a powerful punch

Less than an inch long, the invasive species of predatory wasps — a nest of them was discovered in Cork recently — can be deadly to humans and honeybees alike

Anyone finding themselves near a member of the Vespa velutina species, commonly known as Asian hornets, should give them a wide berth and maybe report the sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Picture: Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto/Getty

For an insect little more than an inch long, the yellow-footed bee-eating Asian hornet, a nest of which were discovered in Cork recently packs a deadly punch, with a sting that has been likened to a hot nail piercing skin.

While they are primarily after our honeybees and pose a threat to the pollination process, these non-native hornets can be deadly to humans too in certain circumstances.