The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
(DAERA) is urging the public to remain vigilant for sightings of
Asian hornets as monitoring activity begins in the Dundonald area
of Belfast.
The Asian hornet, also known as the yellow-legged hornet, is an
invasive non-native species originating from East Asia. It is a
highly effective predator of insects including honeybees, wasps
and other important pollinators and could have a serious impact
on native insect biodiversity and crop pollination.
In October 2025, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA)
removed Northern Ireland's first confirmed Asian hornet nest
following its discovery in Dundonald.
Since it cannot be determined that the nest was removed before
any over-wintering queens were produced and dispersed, as a
precautionary measure, NIEA will now undertake a monitoring
programme in the area over the next three months. This
period coincides with the time emergent queens, if there were any
over wintering, will be active prior to building secondary nests.
Monitoring will involve the placement of targeted traps within a
five-kilometre radius of where the nest was located. These traps
are designed to selectively trap Asian hornet queens while
excluding by-catch of other insects.
DAERA Minister said: “In October, NIEA staff
acted swiftly to locate and safely destroy Northern Ireland's
first Asian hornet nest. Their rapid response helped reduce the
risk posed by this invasive species.
“With monitoring taking place in the Dundonald area over the
coming months, I would encourage the public to remain vigilant
and report any sightings where possible. From April to June, if
you encounter a suspected Asian hornet, please do not kill it, if
you can, trap it, take a photo and report it.”
Suspected sightings of Asian hornets should be reported, ideally
with a photograph, via the Asian Hornet Watch app (sightings
cannot be verified without a photograph).
Notes to editors:
- The public is urged to be vigilant and report any suspect
insects, ideally with a photograph, to DAERA via the Asian Hornet
Watch app at: www.brc.ac.uk/app/asian-hornet-watch.
- As part of the monitoring work in the Dundonald area, NIEA
staff may visit certain properties to install and check traps.
Households affected by this activity will receive a letter in
advance.
