An Invasive Hornet That Murders Honeybees Has Arrived in the United States

The Asian giant hornet, the world’s largest wasp, has crossed the Pacific Ocean and invaded the United States.

The hornet, also known as the “murder hornet,” is highly aggressive and has already decimated bee populations in other parts of the world. Native to East Asia, the Asian giant hornet can grow up to two and a half inches in length with a wingspan of three and a half inches. It is quickly spreading across the country, leaving destruction in its wake.

The Asian giant hornet preys on a variety of insects, but its primary target is the honeybee. The hornet will seek out honeybee hives and proceed to massacre the bees. A single hornet can kill up to 40 bees in a single minute, and a group of hornets can kill a hive of 30,000 bees in a matter of hours.

The loss of honeybee hives has extreme consequences for the natural world as these creatures are responsible for pollinating 70 of the top 100 human food crops. Honeybees are also essential to the agricultural industry and the disappearance of wild bees could lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.

Unfortunately, the Asian giant hornet is difficult to control due to its large size and hard-to-remove nests. The best defense against the hornet is to find and eradicate hives as quickly as possible – and this can be difficult, as hives can be hidden in underground tunnels or high in trees. Local beekeepers can enlist the help of beetle experts to identify and remove potential infestations.

Experts are asking the public to be vigilant in their search for the hornet and to report any sightings of it to the appropriate authorities. The sooner experts know about a hornet sighting, the better the chances of containing the spread of this dangerous insect.

In the meantime, protecting honeybee colonies through maintenance and management of their hives is essential. Beekeepers should monitor hives frequently and consider creating additional hives to encourage biodiversity and avoid over-exploitation of a single colony.

The Asian giant hornet is a powerful predator and its entrance into the United States could have devastating consequences for ecosystems, agriculture and beekeepers alike. It is important that we act quickly and collaboratively to address this threat and preserve our vital honeybee population.