US Invasion: The Incursion of the 'Murder Hornet' in the Western Region

It is reasonable to be worrisome about Asian giant hornets. They have mandibles that resemble shark fins with spikes that can decimate a beehive within hours. They decapitate the honeybees and fly away with the victim's thorax to give as food for their offspring. In addition, the hornet has a potent stinger and venom, longer than a bee's and capable of puncturing a beekeeper's suit. The sting has been described as akin to hot metal driven into the skin. These hornets are responsible for 50 deaths each year in Japan.

And now, they have invaded the US.

Since their discovery in the country, scientists have initiated a widespread hunt for these hornets. They are worried that these invaders will decimate entire bee populations and establish so strong a foothold that eradication may become impossible. Some, however, disagree with the assessment, such as the Smithsonian. After all, bees are not entirely defenseless against them.

Washington Department of Agriculture entomologist Chris Looney said that if the hornets cannot be eradicated in the next two years, they probably cannot be rooted out and nothing can keep them from establishing populations here.

Last December, Jeff Kornelis found a dead insect and suspected that it is an Asian giant hornet. These large hornets have a fierce face with teardrop-like eyes similar to Spider-Man's, with black and orange stripes extending down the body like that of a tiger's, and wispy broad wings similar to small dragonflies.

Kornelis reported the finding to the state and soon, they also found a local beekeeper who also identified one. It was immediately clear to Looney that there is a serious problem. But having only two insect samples, and with winter coming, determining the extent of the hornet's invasion was almost impossible. Still, local beekeepers and agriculture biologists of the state prepared to deal with the hornets.

The insects have also been seen in White Rock, British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Japan's Kyoto Sangyo University researcher Jun-ichi Takahashi said that the insects earned the nickname "murder hornet" due to their group attacks that are very aggressive, which could fatally sting victims with enough venom to equal a venomous snake bite.

Samples of the insect's leg were shipped to Japan for identification, Genetic tests showed that the hornet population in Vancouver Island and Washington are different from each other, which means, according to state pest biologist Telissa Wilson, that in the region, there may have been a minimum of two separate introductions of the hornets.

The region has large wooded habitats where the hornets can easily establish colonies. Finding them and exterminating them can be daunting, especially for hidden underground dens. Besides, a queen can cover many miles in one day at a speed that can reach 20 miles per hour. In addition, the wet and mild climate of this western region is ideal for them.

Looney and others will place hundreds of traps more in the next few months. Officials mapped and put the map on a grid. Thermal imaging can also be helpful, as hornet's nest temperatures can reach 86 degrees. Other advanced tools can also be used later on. Radio frequency ID tags and small streamers can also monitor hornet movement and locate nests.

The Washington Department of Agriculture urges people to report sightings.