Vigilance urged for sightings of Asian hornets
Vigilance has been urged for sightings of Asian hornets in Co Down
It comes after an Asian hornet nest was discovered and removed in the Dundonald area last October.
The Department of Agriculture , Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has appealed for public support as monitoring activity begins in Dundonald.
The Asian hornet, also known as the yellow-legged hornet, has been described as an invasive non-native species originating from East Asia .
It is termed a "highly effective predator of insects including honeybees, wasps and other important pollinators" that "could have a serious impact on native insect biodiversity and crop pollination".
While the Dundonald nest was removed last October, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has indicated it cannot be determined that the nest was removed before any over-wintering queens were produced and dispersed.
A monitoring programme is being started as a precautionary measure, over the next three months, a time of year when queens are likely to emerge.
The programme will see targeted traps placed within a five-kilometre radius of where the nest was located, designed to selectively trap Asian hornet queens while excluding by-catch of other insects.
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir backed the appeal, saying: "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."
Suspected sightings of Asian hornets should be reported, ideally with a photograph, via the Asian Hornet Watch app (sightings cannot be verified without a photograph).