There have been 24 verified sightings of Asian hornets and two nests located, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has confirmed.
The invasive species threatens to “wreak havoc” with pollinators here, and close monitoring of the areas where it was spotted is currently underway.
In a statement the NPWS said as of September 9, its investigations show:
24 verified sightings of Asian hornets;
2 Asian hornet nests have been found in Cork, one in the city and one in Cobh;
2 counties have had verified Asian hornet sightings
The vast majority of the sightings of the Asian hornet have been in Cork, while there has been one single sighting in Dublin.
The NPWS said all reports are being investigated and followed up, while the Asian Hornet Management Group is following international evidence and best practice in its response.
A spokesperson for the NPWS said: “The AHMG recognises the threat that the Asian hornet poses to pollinators in Ireland and is actively engaging with beekeepers associations as the situation evolves.
“The group has met on several occasions with representatives of beekeeper organisations.
“NPWS has entered into an agreement with the University of Galway and Irish Pest Control Association to develop a rapid deployment model for future sightings.
“Bespoke training will be developed for pest controllers as part of this agreement.”
The discovery of two nests in Cork is expected to form the basis of a working protocol for future incursions.
The NPWS also said it is not aware of “any other active Asian hornet nests at this time but are remaining vigilant and encouraging reporting of suspect sightings.”
The public is being urged to report any further sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre, www.invasives.ie, and submit photographic evidence.
“Out of the hundreds of submitted records to the NBDC that are reported as Asian hornet, only a tiny faction (about 1% of all reports) were Asian hornet,” the NPWS said.
The first nest in Cork was located in a private garden in Ballintemple on the south side of the city and safely removed on September 5.
Further sightings of the Asian hornet in the Cork area were simultaneously investigated leading to the discovery of a second nest in Cobh on the evening of September 5.
The NPWS said: “This nest was successfully controlled and removed on September 9 and transported to the National Museum for further testing and analysis”.
In Dublin, traps have been in place since the only sighting of the insect was recorded last month, covering a radius of about 250m out from where the hornet was spotted.
The NPWS said: “It looks increasingly like the Dublin sighting is a blow-in, however the traps will continue to be monitored, and NPWS will respond if required.”