After five years of intense efforts, the US has officially eradicated the notorious “murder hornet,” also known as the northern giant hornet. First detected in Washington state in 2019, these invasive insects posed a major threat to honey bee populations and local ecosystems with their lethal stings and ability to destroy hives in a matter of hours.
Now, following the successful tracking and destruction of their nests, the Washington and US departments of agriculture have confirmed that the hornet has been eradicated, marking a major victory in the fight against invasive species. Here’s everything you need to know about this significant achievement.
The murder hornet is gone: The world’s largest hornet, officially called the northern giant hornet, has been declared eradicated in the US after five years of concerted effort. The Washington and US departments of agriculture announced the success on Wednesday.
No sightings since 2021: The hornet, first spotted in Washington state in 2019, has not been detected in the region since 2021, marking the achievement of complete eradication.
Team effort led to victory: Residents played a vital role by setting traps and reporting hornet sightings. Scientists took it a step further by attaching radio tags to live hornets, tracking them to nests and destroying them.
A historic win for entomologists: “It is a rare day when humans actually get to win one against the insects,” said Sven Spichiger, pest program manager at the Washington State Department of Agriculture. His statement highlights the rarity and significance of this victory.
Murder hornets’ deadly legacy: Previously called Asian giant hornets, they gained notoriety after causing the death of 42 people in China and injuring 1,675 others. In the US, hornet stings kill about 72 people annually.
First found in North America in 2019: The hornets were first detected in British Columbia, Canada, before being confirmed in Washington state in December 2019, where they quickly became a major threat to local ecosystems.
Eradication efforts include destruction of nests: Researchers tracked hornets to nests hidden in alder trees, where they destroyed the nest just before queens were about to emerge, preventing a new generation from hatching.
DNA shows different origins: Genetic evidence indicated that the populations in Washington and British Columbia were unrelated, suggesting they came from different countries. Both regions now consider the hornets eradicated.
Impact on bees and pollinators: These hornets posed a grave threat to honey bee hives, capable of decimating a hive in 90 minutes by decapitating the bees and taking the brood for their young.
Vigilance will continue: Despite declaring the hornet eradicated, Washington officials remain on high alert. Monitoring and trapping efforts will continue, especially after an unconfirmed sighting in October 2023. Other invasive hornet species, like yellow-legged hornets, remain a concern in other states.