Local students research impact of Asian Hornet

Ahead of the upcoming ESB Science Blast event in Dublin, fifth and sixth-class pupils from Newtown NS, Creagh, Ballinasloe, have turned their attention to one of Ireland’s most serious emerging environmental threats, the highly invasive Asian Hornet.

The project, which will be showcased at Science Blast in the RDS in March, sees pupils researching the Asian Hornet, a species that poses a significant risk to bees, other pollinators, and biodiversity. Through hands-on science activities, models and investigations, the children are learning how the hornet can be identified, why it is dangerous, and what can be done to raise public awareness.

Science Blast is a nationwide STEM initiative that encourages primary school pupils to explore real-world scientific problems through inquiry and experimentation. The Newtown NS project links science learning directly to environmental protection and community awareness.

Mr. Ruairi Ó Leocháin, Teacher and Beekeeper, said: “This project gives pupils the opportunity to engage with a real environmental issue affecting Ireland today. They are developing scientific skills while also learning how science can help communities respond to challenges like invasive species.”

The school hopes the project will help inform the wider community about the Asian Hornet and encourage vigilance in reporting sightings.

"The kids have shown great enthusiasm for the project," Ruairi said.

"We started working on it about a month ago and Ms. Joanne Jordan, the school Principal, is also working on a project relating to certain food types and how long they can and should last. The Asian Hornet is a topical subject, especially after the sighting of them in Cork last year. There was also a sighting in Northern Ireland, and they're becoming rampant across Europe and the UK. As well as allowing the pupils freedom to investigate the topic on their own, and increase their level of understanding and knowledge on the Asian Hornet, we hope our work can also help highlight the issue to the public," he added.

Last August, The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) confirmed the sighting and capture of an Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina) in the Cork area, and the discovery triggered a biosecurity alert, given the insect’s potential impact on Ireland’s pollinators and biodiversity. While the hornet does not pose a significant public health risk, even a single nest can devastate honeybee populations. Beekeepers fear the spread of the Asian Hornet could devastate Ireland’s honey industry and wider biodiversity, while Mr Ó Leocháin said the role of the public in alleviating its threat will be crucial.

"Our number one resource in dealing with the Asian Hornet will be the public, and I hope we can get the word out there, especially coming up to late February/early March when the Queens will start coming out to build nests, and that's when you have to be most vigilant," he said. Any members of the public suspicious of the potential presence of the Asian Hornet are urged to report sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre, and key identification features include yellow-tipped legs, a black/dark brown body, and an orange band on the abdomen.

ESB Science Blast is a free, non-competitive educational programme for primary schools (3rd to 6th Class/Key Stage 2), involving the whole class investigating the science behind a simple question. The event in Dublin will be one of three nationwide Showcase events, including in Belfast and Limerick, where participating classes will be paired with a STEM expert, who will talk to them about their investigation and give feedback.