The arrival of the Asian hornet in Northern Ireland has sparked a wave of concern among beekeepers, environmentalists, and the general public, following the confirmation and removal of the region’s first nest in Dundonald. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) announced on Saturday, October 18, 2025, that it had completed the safe and controlled removal of the nest, which was discovered close to the first reported sighting of the species on October 10. The operation was carried out by NIEA’s Invasive Non-Native Species Team, working in tandem with a licensed pest control company, and guided by experts from the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford. This coordinated effort was part of the Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative, reflecting a growing cross-border response to the threat posed by this invasive insect.
The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is no ordinary newcomer. According to NIEA and as reported by several outlets including BBC News NI and WeathÉire, this species is considered a significant environmental threat, preying primarily on honeybees but also targeting a wide range of native insects and pollinators. These pollinators are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting the crops that underpin local agriculture. The NIEA emphasized, “This is the first occurrence of such a nest in Northern Ireland. The Asian Hornet poses a significant threat to honeybees, native insects, pollinators and local ecosystems, as well as crop production which relies on pollinators.”
While the Asian hornet does not present a greater direct threat to humans than native hornets, its impact on the environment is far more troubling. As Tom Williamson, a former senior bee inspector for Northern Ireland, explained to BBC News NI, “A single Asian hornet nest can produce up to 350 gynes (future queens).” These queens, if released and mated before winter, could emerge in the spring to establish new nests, potentially leading to a rapid expansion of the population. Dr. Archie Murchie, a senior principal scientific officer at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), added that Asian hornets prey preferentially on honey bees but also hunt over 1,000 species of insects and spiders. “The insects in Northern Ireland haven’t got the same defences that the natural prey for this hornet would have in southeast Asia,” he noted, highlighting the vulnerability of local ecosystems.
The threat is not just theoretical. Nests can harbor up to 8,000 individual hornets or grubs, each requiring food. “The Asian hornet can eat up to 50 honey bees a day,” said Richard Gray, head of the biodiversity and wildlife branch at the NIEA. This voracious appetite can have dire consequences for bee colonies. The hornets’ predatory behavior, known as hawking, involves hovering near hives and attacking bees as they come and go. Williamson described the resulting impact: “Beekeepers are worried and quite rightly so, because while it starts to hawk at hives, bees would sit at the hives and not come in and out. So they’ll not get their honey and they’ll not pollinate.” The ripple effect could be felt across hedgerows and trees, many of which are vital food sources for birds and insects beyond just bees.
The NIEA’s rapid response to the Dundonald nest was informed by lessons learned from previous incursions elsewhere in the UK and Ireland. The first Asian hornet was discovered in the UK in Gloucester in 2016, and the species was spotted in the Republic of Ireland in 2021. This past September, two nests were removed in Cork City and Cobh by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The threat is not limited by borders, and the Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative is a testament to the need for cooperation across the island.
Surveillance in the Dundonald area will continue for the foreseeable future, with NIEA urging members of the public and the beekeeping community to remain vigilant. Reports of suspected sightings, ideally accompanied by a clear photograph, can be made via the Asian Hornet Watch app or the CEDaR invasive species online recording system. The NIEA and other experts caution against disturbing nests, as Asian hornets can become aggressive if threatened. “If you don’t know they are there and disturb them you’re at big risk because they will strenuously defend their nests,” Williamson warned.
Managing the Asian hornet threat is not without its challenges. Valentine Hodges, chair of the Ulster Beekeepers Association (UBKA), voiced her concern about the lack of a bee inspectorate in Northern Ireland, noting, “It will have a big impact on biodiversity and on pollinator services.” In England, bee inspectors have played a key role in identifying and helping to remove nests. Recruitment for bee inspectors in Northern Ireland was underway as of April 2025, and an update on progress has been requested by beekeepers and environmental groups alike.
There is also a need for public education. The Asian hornet is about 2cm long, mostly black and brown with an orange face, orange tail, and yellow legs. Brian Grzymek, vice-chair of UBKA and chair of an All-Ireland Beekeepers Action Group, advises the public not to set traps unless specifically instructed, as indiscriminate trapping can harm other pollinators and complicate hornet tracking efforts. “If you put up traps randomly, what that does is it probably ends up killing quite a few pollinators, the insects we want,” he explained.
The arrival of the Asian hornet in Northern Ireland was not entirely unexpected. Experts believe the species could have arrived by natural spread or by hitching a ride on imported goods. Dr. Murchie told BBC News NI that Northern Ireland’s colder, wetter climate is at the hornet’s survival limit, but recent DNA analysis confirmed that the Asian hornet survived its first winter in the UK in 2024. This resilience suggests the species could become a recurring challenge for local ecosystems.
For now, the NIEA’s swift and coordinated action offers a measure of reassurance. Ongoing monitoring, public vigilance, and cross-border cooperation will be essential to prevent the establishment of a breeding population. As the story unfolds, the fate of Northern Ireland’s bees—and the broader health of its environment—may hinge on the continued diligence of both experts and ordinary citizens alike.
