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Ally Pally Wasp Hit by Dart as Recurring Visitor Disrupts World Darts

Experts attribute the sightings to queen wasps roused by the venue’s warm, brightly lit environment.

Overview

  • Nitin Kumar’s throw struck a wasp mid-flight during his match against Richard Veenstra on Sunday, briefly halting play.
  • Ted Evetts flicked a wasp off his collar in his match with Luke Humphries, drawing strong reactions from fans on social media.
  • The insect has also interrupted Luke Littler’s post-match interview and appeared on Ross Smith and Rob Cross during early sessions.
  • UCL entomologist Seirian Sumner says newly mated queens likely wake from hibernation in Alexandra Palace’s hidden spaces and are drawn to heat and stage lighting.
  • Alexandra Palace officials say they prefer non-intrusive, environmentally responsible measures but warn pest control could be used if safety is threatened.