News & Events

First discovery of population of Quagga mussel in Ireland

The National Biodiversity Data Centre has issued an Invasive Species Alert for Quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) in Ireland. As this is also a potential threat to catchments in Northern Ireland, DAERA have upgraded the Potential status on the Invasive Species Ireland website to Established and also added to their Species Alerts  DAERA will also […]

First evidence of Chinese mitten crab breeding in Ireland

Biodiversity Ireland have issued an Invasive Species Alert for Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis).  One berried female with eggs showing signs of development to Zoea stage, was captured by net on 25th January 2021 in Waterford harbour. Another female was photographed 25th December 2020. Chinese mitten crab has been record twice previously in Waterford harbour, […]

NPWS confirms first discovery of a live specimen Asian hornet in Ireland

“The National Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has confirmed that a single specimen of the invasive alien species Asian Hornet has been found in Ireland. This marks the first identification of the species in the wild in Ireland. The single specimen was found ‘alive but dying’ in […]

First confirmed 2020 Asian hornet sighting in G.B.

The National Bee Unit has confirmed the sighting and monitoring is underway to detect any other Asian hornets in the vicinity. The Asian hornet is no greater risk to human health than our native wasps. However, they do pose a risk to honey bees and work is already underway to monitor for any hornet activity […]

DAERA publish Management Measures for Widely Spread Species

The Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) publish management measures for the 11 designated Widely Spread Species (WSS) in Northern Ireland – https://invasivespeciesni.co.uk/legislation/european-union/management-measures-for-widely-spread-species/ 

Invasive Species Northern Ireland