Photo credit: www.yahoo.com
SEATTLE (AP) — The northern giant hornet, often sensationalized as the “murder hornet” due to its painful sting and predatory behavior towards honey bee hives, has been officially eradicated in the United States, marking a significant milestone five years after its initial discovery in Washington state, close to the Canadian border.
This announcement was made by the Washington and U.S. Departments of Agriculture, noting that there have been no sightings of the hornet since 2021.
The elimination of this invasive species represents a collaborative effort that involved local residents placing traps around their properties, reporting any sightings, and researchers successfully tracking a live hornet by attaching a small radio tag to it. This tracking led scientists to a nest located in an alder tree, which was subsequently destroyed just as several queens were beginning to emerge, according to officials.
Sven Spichiger, pest program manager for the Washington State Department of Agriculture, expressed his satisfaction at the outcome, stating, “As an entomologist with more than 25 years of experience, it is rare for humans to triumph over insects in this manner.”
The northern giant hornets, which can measure up to 2 inches (5 cm) long, first gained notoriety after causing the deaths of 42 individuals and injuring 1,675 in China during 2013. In the U.S., approximately 72 fatalities annually are attributed to bee and hornet stings, as reported by the National Institutes of Health.
These hornets were first identified in North America in British Columbia, Canada, in August 2019 and were confirmed in Washington later that year when a resident in Whatcom County reported finding one. By the summer of 2020, beekeepers began reporting attacks on their hives and submitted specimens for inspection. Experts suggest that the hornets may have entered North America via shipping containers or plant imports.
Genetic analysis indicated that the hornet populations in Canada and Washington did not share a common origin, suggesting separate introductions from different countries. Additionally, authorities in British Columbia have not confirmed any sightings since 2021, and the nonprofit Invasive Species Centre has declared the hornet eradicated in Canada as well.
The northern giant hornets pose a threat to local pollinators, particularly honey bees, being capable of destroying a hive in as little as 90 minutes by decapitating the resident bees and taking their brood to nourish their own young.
These hornets have the ability to sting through standard beekeeper protection suits, delivering venom nearly seven times that of a honey bee and can sting multiple times. In response to their threat, the Washington agriculture department even procured reinforced suits from China for safe handling.
Washington has been the only U.S. state to report confirmed sightings of the northern giant hornet, with trappers identifying four nests between 2020 and 2021.
Despite the eradication announcement, Spichiger emphasized the importance of continued vigilance. He mentioned ongoing monitoring efforts in Kitsap County where a resident reported an unverified sighting in October, although no further evidence has emerged from trapping efforts.
Moreover, Spichiger pointed out that other invasive hornet species are active threats. Authorities in Georgia and South Carolina are currently combating yellow-legged hornets, while southern giant hornets have recently been found in Spain.
“We will continue to be vigilant,” Spichiger concluded, highlighting the ongoing need for surveillance to prevent further invasions.
Source
www.yahoo.com