In a major victory for US agriculture, officials have declared the invasive ‘murder hornet’ species successfully eradicated from the country. The announcement comes five years after the world’s largest hornet first appeared in Washington state near the Canadian border, posing a serious threat to pollinators and native insects.
Tracking Down the Murder Hornet Nests
The eradication effort was a collaborative undertaking between the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Entomologists employed innovative strategies to locate and destroy the hornet nests:
- Live Hornet Capture: Researchers captured a live hornet and attached a tiny radio tracking device to it using dental floss.
- Nest Tracking: By following the tagged hornet through the forest, they were able to pinpoint the location of the nest in an alder tree.
- Targeted Nest Destruction: The nest was destroyed just as new queens were beginning to emerge, preventing further spread.
“I’ve gotta tell you, as an entomologist doing this for 25 years now, it is a rare day when the humans get to win one against the insects,”
-Sven Spichiger, WSDA Pest Program Manager
The Threat of the Asian Giant Hornet
Formerly known as the Asian giant hornet, the northern giant hornet poses significant risks:
- At 2 inches long, it is the world’s largest hornet species.
- A single hornet can kill 40 honeybees per minute, decimating entire hives in hours.
- In 2013, hornets killed 42 people and injured over 1500 in China.
- They likely arrived in North America via plant pots or shipping containers.
| Year | Hornet Nests Found |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022-2024 | 0 |
Ongoing Vigilance Against Invasive Hornets
Despite the declared eradication, officials emphasize the need for continued monitoring. Traps remain in place in key areas like Kitsap County, where an unconfirmed sighting was reported in 2024. British Columbia, Canada has also not had any confirmed sightings since 2021 and considers the hornet eradicated.
While the battle against the murder hornet may be won for now, the story highlights the ongoing challenges posed by invasive species in an interconnected world. Constant vigilance, innovative tracking methods, and swift, coordinated responses remain essential to protecting native ecosystems from the next potential threat on the horizon.
