The Irish Beekeepers’ Association CLG takes the lead
by Colette O’Connell.

Recent months have seen one confirmed finding of Asian Hornet here in Ireland with two possible but as of yet unconfirmed sightings.

In last December’s IBA webinar, https://youtu.be/puYNYbNsNjc we were fortunate to have John De Carteret and Alaistair Christie from Jersey, provide us with their experiences and knowledge on dealing with this apex predator.  This initial contact has developed into one providing Irish beekeepers with the most current and best practical  knowledge available to those involved in apiculture.  

Atlantic Positive with Irish members, have also been particularly supportive in assisting beekeepers to understand Vespa velutina, and we welcome the contacts that we have made in other European countries who are have come together to oppose the continue spread of the Asian Hornet.  Their expertise and advance warnings to us in Ireland are so very welcome.

Our colleagues in Jersey have been to the fore warning us that we must ensure that Asian Hornet, is not allowed to establish here.  Understanding that ONE fertile AH queen arriving to the Port of Bordeaux in 2004, is responsible for the spawning of western Europe, and the thousands of Asian hornet colonies found in Europe, makes this point.  If secondary nests are allowed to the end of their natural cycle, 200 to 300 queens are released and will emerge the following spring, to set up their own individual nests.  One can appreciate the success of it’s spread when one does the figures and estimates the outcome if even one secondary nest is allowed to  continue to the end of it’s natural life cycle.

Ireland to date has been fortunate in that we have no known established populations of AH, here currently.  However, our colleagues in Jersey have warned us that it is just a matter of time before we do see them.  John De Carteret has warned that with the opening of extra ferry links to Europe, because of Brexit, the likelihood increases.  The “Yellow legged” hornet, as he refers to it it is adept at hitching lifts on vehicles and advises that this is why transport hubs should host AH traps to alert it’s presence at the earliest opportunity.  It is not enough to focus on ports and airports.

Up to this summer, in spite of it’s proximity to Spain, the Baleraic Islands have been successful in keeping out Vespa velutina due to a proactive group of rangers that remove nests when sighted.  

Our colleagues have warned that we must be ready to act immediately on first sightings.  Alastair Christie, Asian hornet coordinator for the government in Jersey has stated that the public are the “secret weapon in this battle”,…..”… including 85 volunteers operating in Jersey…..We can’t do this without them and every tracking case starts with a report,…..”  

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-jersey-58281111

With this in mind the IRISH BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION, clg took the initiative and issued press releases and did interviews with media outlets to raise public awareness,  The IBA took the initiative also to write to the Minister and Government Departments, with a list of actions seen as necessary to protect honey bees and pollinators in Ireland.  This letter was signed by the NIHBS, Native Honey Bee Society and by FIBKA, Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations.  Full letter can be viewed here with part copy pasted below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VoSs2R1fMCIZFB6ta-iO9wODkIbS5HDJ/view