THE FIRST SIGHTING of an Asian hornet in the North was today confirmed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

It said that the Asian Hornet was captured in the Dundonald area of Belfast on 10 October by a “vigilant member of the public”.

The current evidence is that it is a solitary Asian hornet and efforts are underway to confirm this.

Otherwise known as the Yellow-legged hornet, the Asian hornet is a harmful invasive species originating from east Asia and first recorded in Europe in 2004.

The species is a highly effective predator of insects including honeybees, wasps and other important pollinators.

Due to its aggressive nature and feeding habits, Asian hornets could have a serious impact on native insect biodiversity.  

The first confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet in the Republic was made in Co Cork in August.

Since then, there have been 24 verified sightings in Cork and Dublin, with two nests found and removed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

An Asian hornet captured in Cork in comparison with a two euro coin.

Staff from the National Biodiversity Data Centre are assisting with colleagues in the North and sharing the experience they have gained with the removal of nests in Cork as part of the Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative.

Officials from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) have deployed specialist equipment and commenced a monitoring programme involving live traps to determine if this is an isolated individual or whether there may be a nest.  

If other Asian hornets are detected and confirmed, intensive monitoring will continue to trace and remove any nest, alongside monitoring afterwards to ensure that there is no further Asian hornet activity.

Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Andrew Muir, said that he does not want this “harmful species” to become “established in Northern Ireland as it presents a serious threat to both biosecurity and local ecology, particularly valuable pollinating insects”.

He added that he is “grateful to the Dundonald householder who captured and reported the Asian hornet”.

Muir also urged the public to “remain alert to the potential presence of this insect”.

The public has also been asked to report any suspect insects, ideally with a photograph, to the Asian Hornet Watch app at www.brc.ac.uk/app/asian-hornet-watch. 

Meanwhile, suspected nests should not be disturbed but reported immediately.