Asian Hornet Nest Confirmed in Ireland – Public Urged to Stay Vigilant

On 27 August 2025, Ireland confirmed its first-ever Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) nest, tracked and discovered on the south side of Cork City near the South Link Road; by members of the Irish Beekeepers Association and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). This comes after a first confirmed sighting and capture of a single hornet earlier in August in Cork.

The discovery triggered an immediate response from the NPWS and the newly established Asian Hornet Management Group (AHMG), which includes experts from the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Department of Agriculture, and the National Museum of Ireland. Irish & UK specialists were also consulted.

The nest was located in a sycamore tree and will now be and sent for DNA analysis to trace its origin.

The original Asian Hornet that was successfully tracked to its nest. Image by Marty Bates of the Irish Beekeepers Association

Timeline of Events

• Early August 2025 – First confirmed Asian hornet located in Cork.

• Mid-August 2025 – Additional sightings reported, leading to intensified monitoring.

• 27 August 2025 – First Asian hornet nest located in Cork City; removal and eradication plan initiated.

• 27th August 2025 - Additional sightings by the Cork Beekeepers of dead hornets in a wasp trap
  

Why This Matters

• The Asian hornet is an invasive alien species of Union concern under EU Regulation 1143/2014.

• It is a voracious predator of pollinators – honeybees, bumblebees, hoverflies, and solitary bees.

• A single Asian Hornet nest can consume 12 kg or more of insects in a season. It can also demolish up to fifty honey bee colonies in a year.

• In France and Spain, tens of thousands of nests are destroyed annually at a cost of millions of euros.

• Early detection offers Ireland its best chance to prevent establishment.
  
  

Public Guidance: How to Stay Safe & Help

Authorities have issued clear advice for both safety and reporting:

Identification

• Asian hornets are smaller than the native European hornet.

• Key features:

  • Dark body with a single orange band on the abdomen.

  • Yellow-tipped legs (the most distinctive feature). Looks like it has walked in yellow paint.

  • Wings are slightly darker than a wasp’s.
    
    

Government chart describing the Asian Hornet and some easily misidentified species

Safety Precautions

• Do not approach or attempt to destroy nests or hornets yourself under any circumstances. Hornets can sting repeatedly and may become aggressive if threatened. Leave this to the professionals.

• If you encounter a hornet, keep your distance, and avoid swatting at it.
  
  

Reporting Sightings

• Submit reports (ideally with photographs) through the official National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) at:

  • Alien Watch portal: https://invasives.ie/what-can-i-do/report-sightings/

  • NBDC App (available on Apple iOS and Android).

• Provide as much detail as possible:

  • Date and location of sighting.

  • Number of individuals observed.

  • Photographs for confirmation.
    
    

For Beekeepers

• Inspect apiaries regularly for unusual predation activity.

• Report immediately if hornets are observed “hawking” bees at hive entrances (hornets preying at hive entrances).

• Do not attempt to catch or tag hornets without proper authorisation – only trained, licensed teams under NPWS and IBA protocols are permitted. It is against the law to trap and subsequently release an invasive species in Ireland.
  

A Critical Moment

Minister Christopher O’Sullivan has praised the early detection and rapid intervention by the IBA and NPWS, calling it a success story in Ireland’s biodiversity protection efforts. However, the discovery highlights how critical public vigilance remains.

Asian hornets have caused ecological and economic damage in other European countries, costing millions annually in eradication and nest destruction. Ireland has the chance to stop their establishment before it’s too late.

Summary for the Public

• Date of nest discovery: 27 August 2025 (Cork City).

• Immediate action: Nest removal, destruction, and DNA analysis underway.

• Threat level: High to pollinators and biodiversity.

• What to do: Stay safe, don’t approach, report sightings with photos to NBDC Alien Watch.

• Best defence: Early detection through public vigilance.
  

👉 Together, by staying alert and reporting quickly, we can protect Ireland’s pollinators and stop the Asian hornet from becoming established here.