Further sightings of the Asian hornet have been confirmed in Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has said.
It follows the sighting and capture of an Asian hornet in Co Cork earlier this month.
That sighting and capture was the second confirmed identification of an Asian hornet in Ireland and triggered the establishment of the Asian Hornet Management Group, chaired by the NPWS.
Extensive monitoring was then carried out to determine if a larger population existed and the survey team intensified efforts after the additional sightings.
The location of these sightings and monitoring activities are not being disclosed for operational purposes.
The taskforce has since consulted with experts from the UK and are monitoring the situation closely, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said in a statement.
The Asian hornet poses a significant threat to biodiversity in Ireland, and a single nest can devastate honeybee populations, but its presence does not pose a significant public health risk.
Asian hornets are said to not be generally aggressive, but it may sting if provoked, the department warned.
Members of the public who believe they encounter an Asian hornet are advised to not approach or attempt to capture it, but to report it to the National Biodiversity Data Centre with a photograph if possible.