The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is calling on the public to remain alert for sightings of Asian hornets following the commencement of a targeted monitoring programme in the Dundonald area of Belfast.

The Asian hornet, also referred to as the yellow-legged hornet, is an invasive non-native species from East Asia. As a highly effective predator of honeybees, wasps, and other essential pollinators, the species poses a significant threat to native insect biodiversity and crop pollination. This monitoring effort follows the discovery and subsequent removal of Northern Ireland's first confirmed Asian hornet nest in Dundonald in October 2025 by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). As it could not be definitively determined whether over-wintering queens had dispersed prior to the nest's destruction, the NIEA is undertaking a three-month monitoring programme. This period is critical, as it aligns with the time emergent queens would be active before establishing secondary nests.

The NIEA will place targeted traps within a five-kilometre radius of the original nest location. These traps are specifically designed to capture Asian hornet queens while minimising the impact on other local insect species.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir 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."

Authorities emphasise that verified reports are essential for effective management. Suspected sightings should be reported via the Asian Hornet Watch app, and it is crucial that reports include a photograph, as sightings cannot be verified without visual evidence.