DAERA issues fresh appeal for public vigilance over Asian hornet sightings
Date published:
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is urging the public to remain vigilant for Asian hornets despite no fresh, confirmed sightings this year.
The appeal for vigilance was issued following the completion of a two-month Asian hornet Spring Queen Monitoring Programme in the Dundonald area.
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.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “In October 2025, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) removed Northern Ireland’s first confirmed Asian hornet nest following its discovery in Dundonald.
“Although the monitoring did not detect any Asian hornets, there is always a risk that some may have evaded the monitoring exercise.
“For that reason, we would still urge the public to be vigilant and report any suspect sightings and please check out all the ID Guides on our website and avoid killing or catching other valuable pollinators unnecessarily.”
A total of 34 traps were monitored and checked twice weekly between April and May 2026 as a precautionary measure when Queen hornets usually emerge prior to the building of secondary nests.
Initially, monitoring was planned over a three-month period, but the low temperatures and poor weather delayed the start. Queen hornets will not come out of hibernation until there are consistent days of 12 – 13 deg C. and above.
The traps used were designed to selectively trap Asian hornet queens while excluding by-catch of other insects, but none were detected.
Notes to editors:
- Members of the public who believe they may have spotted an Asian hornet should access the ID Guides available at the following link: https://invasivespeciesni.co.uk/species-accounts/early+stage+establishment/terrestrial/asian-hornet.
- 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).
- Follow DAERA on X formerly called Twitter and Facebook.
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.