A new study has found that there is a “high suitability” for Asian hornets to become established in Ireland.
Researchers concluded that Ireland’s mild European climate could be suitable for Vespa velutina nigrithorax.
The first Asian hornet was recorded in Dublin in 2021. At the time, the government confirmed that a single specimen of the invasive alien species was found “alive but dying”.
It was reported to the EU’s alien species database where it is logged as: “Specimen retained in the National Museum of Ireland”
The national museum has more than one million insects in its collection.
Across mainland Europe, Asian hornets have been increasing in numbers. Wildlife groups warn that they are a “significant predator of bees”.
They are easily identifiable because of their yellow legs. European hornets have brown legs.
The sting can be painful, but is not usually dangerous.
By contrast to mainland Europe, Asian hornets do not seem to have spread as fast as was feared in the UK. The researchers think that the British have established an eradication programme which is working.
That might give hope for Ireland too.
The Asian hornet is listed as an invasive alien species under EU law. This obliges Member States to “manage the species and where possible to eradicate it.”
The EU-funded study was first published in the Journal of Applied Ecology.