What effect could the Asian hornet have in Northern Ireland?
Should I be worried about Asian hornets arriving in Northern Ireland?
This is a question many people are asking following the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). The first confirmed sighting of the species was confirmed in Dundonald on Monday. further Sightings of the species were confirmed two days later and by Saturday a nest was established Found and removed in the same area.
Environment Minister Andrew Muir encouraged the public to “stay vigilant” as “there could be more out there”.
Asian hornets do not pose as great a threat to humans as domestic hornets, but they do poses a greater threat to native insects It has raised concerns among beekeepers and environmentalists.
Why are Asian hornets a concern?
Tom Williamson, Northern Ireland’s former senior bee inspector, said if a queen bee was being released from the nest it could be a “concern” next spring.
A single Asian hornet nest can produce up to 350 gynes (future queens).
If the captured nest has already released females, some may have mated before hibernating.
When spring comes next year, the survivors will emerge and begin building new nests.
What do Asian hornets eat?
Asian hornets feed on more than 1000 species.
D., senior chief scientific officer at the Agri-Food and Biological Sciences Institute (AFBI). Asian hornets primarily prey on honeybees, but also many other species of insects and spiders, Archie Murchie said.
he said BBC’s Good Morning Ulster program It was noted that the insects in Northern Ireland “do not have the same defenses as the natural prey of this wasp in south-east Asia”.
Richard Gray, head of NIEA’s biodiversity and wildlife branch, said the “aggressive predator” could have nests containing “up to 8,000 wasps or maggots”.
Everyone in the hive needs to be fed, and Asian hornets can eat up to 50 honeybees a day.
Asian hornets feed on more than 1000 species. [Getty Images]
How do Asian hornets affect bees?
Asian hornets exhibit predatory behavior, including hawking, in which they hover near hives.
Mr Williamson, a County Armagh beekeeper, said this behavior usually occurs in mid to late summer and can prevent bees from foraging, causing them to starve to death.
“Beekeepers are worried, and rightly so, because when the bees start attacking the hives, the bees just sit at the hives and don’t come in and out,” he said.
“So they won’t be able to get their honey and they won’t be able to pollinate.
“If bees cannot take part in the pollination of many of our hedges and trees, which are probably not grown by humans but are good resources for other birds and insects, it will be the environment that will be more affected.”
Valentine Hodges is president of the Ulster Beekeepers Association [BBC]
What can be done to manage the Asian hornet threat?
Valentine Hodges, a beekeeper in County Down and president of the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association (UBKA), is “very concerned” about invasive species.
He said this would have a “huge impact on biodiversity and pollinator services” and expressed concern about the issue. The absence of a bee inspectorate in Northern Ireland.
in england, bee inspectors doing their part In the fight against Asian hornets.
“A bee inspector with some experience, training and knowledge of this would be a big help,” Mr Williamson said.
He said a trained bee inspector “can go a long way in finding nests quickly and efficiently and handing that off to crews who then destroy the nest.”
bee inspectors They are responsible for supporting bee health.
In April, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said recruitment was ongoing. Update requested.
What about nests in public areas?
Asian hornet nests are often found in fences or near the ground. [Getty Images]
Mr Williamson also raised concerns about Asian hornet nests in public places.
“Once they become established, if they disturb the nest, there is a danger level to the public.”
Asian hornet nests are often found in fences or near the ground.
“If you don’t know they’re there and you disturb them, you’re at great risk because they will defend their nests vigorously,” he added.
What precautions are being taken?
Following the initial observation, live traps were placed to monitor Asian hornet activity.
After further sightings were confirmed, track and trace methods were used to locate and remove the nest.
NIEA said ongoing monitoring will continue to ensure there is no further hornet activity in the area.
Brian Grzymek, vice-president of UBKA and chairman of the All Ireland Beekeepers Action Group, has been working on an Asian hornet contingency plan since April.
Because of this work, Mr Grzymek said Northern Ireland was “pretty well equipped” for the insects’ arrival.
He said a NI contingency plan was currently being updated and the draft plan would be shared with UBKA.
The insect, which is about 2 cm long, feeds on more than 1,000 species. [Getty Images]
How can Asian hornets survive in NI?
species may have come through natural dispersal or by hitchhiking on imported goods.
Dr Archie Murchie told BBC News NI that Northern Ireland’s climate was “on the edge” of the Asian hornet because it was generally cooler and wetter.
But a DNA analysis conducted in 2024 showed that Asian hornets He survived his first winter in England.
What should I do if I detect Asian hornets?
If you see an Asian hornet, take a photo and Asian Hornet Watch application.
The insect is about 2 cm long, mostly black and brown, with an orange face, an orange tail and yellow legs.
Mr. Grzymek advises the public not to use traps unless advised to do so as a beekeeper.
“If you set traps randomly, it will probably result in the death of a lot of pollinators, which are the insects we want.”
Traps can make tracking difficult, as wasps may feed from more than one source and may not return to the same source.
