Operation under way to remove Asian hornet nest in Cork

An intensive surveillance operation is underway in the Ringaskiddy area of County Cork to locate and remove an Asian hornet nest, according to Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O Sullivan. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) escalated the operation following the successful capture of a second Asian hornet near the location where a specimen was photographed by a member of the public the previous week.

The minister stated that the second capture is a significant development, indicating a possible nest nearby. The NPWS is now deploying specialist bait stations to track and trace any further hornet activity and pinpoint the nest's location as quickly as possible. Once a live specimen is captured, conservation rangers will attach a tiny transmitter to its back, allowing them to follow its movements and locate its nest before the species can establish itself.

Minister O Sullivan emphasized the success of this transmitter technology in other countries, such as the UK, in locating the nest. He highlighted that early detection and rapid intervention are crucial in protecting Ireland's biodiversity and native pollinators from this invasive species. It is essential to locate and neutralize any nests quickly before young queen hornets leave for the winter, as they could start new colonies in the spring.

Asian hornets are invasive apex insect predators that feed on pollinators, particularly honeybees, which Irish bees have no experience with, making them highly vulnerable. A single Asian hornet nest can consume approximately 11kg of pollinator insects in a single season. Minister O Sullivan expressed gratitude to the public for their vigilance in bringing this issue to the NPWS's attention and encouraged anyone who believes they have seen an Asian hornet to report it immediately through the website www.invasives.ie.