Concern raised over potential threat of invasive predatory hornets to Kilkenny

Local councillor Fidelis Doherty has expressed concern over the potential threat posed by invasive Asian hornets if and/or when they are detected in County Kilkenny.

Speaking at this month's meeting of Piltown Municipal District, Cllr Doherty stated that the invasive predatory wasp poses 'a serious threat to our pollinators and bees'.

Cllr Doherty raised the issue with elected members following recent consultation with a local beekeeper.

She highlighted how the Asian hornet has spread throughout Europe in recent years, with Ireland's first recorded case of the invasive species being in Dublin in 2021.

"I don't know where we go with it from here but it is an issue that needs to be highlighted," she said.

"There's always a possibility that it will sweep down as far as us," she added.

Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council, Sean McKeown, stated that he will consult the environment section of the local authority on the matter.

Although a report of an 'alive but dying' Asian hornet was documented in Dublin in 2021, the species appears to not yet have become established on the island.

The National Biodiversity Data Centre describes the Asian hornet as an 'invasive species' with 'risk of high impact'.

"This day flying hornet is a predator of honeybees, wasps, other pollinators, such as hoverflies and spiders, which it uses primarily to feed the larvae," the Centre notes, citing academic research.

"These prey are important for pollination of crops as well as wild flora. As such it may have serious impacts on biodiversity and pollination services through predation.

"However, the literature is lacking on the impacts of this invasive species."