Seattle officials have announced an impressive success in combating invasive species, revealing that the infamous “murder hornet,” known as the largest hornet species on the planet, has been eradicated.
This hornet is notorious for its painful sting and its ability to rapidly wipe out honeybee colonies.
The milestone comes five years after these hornets were first discovered in Washington state, close to the Canadian border.
Eradication Efforts and Community Involvement
On Wednesday, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, confirmed that no sightings of the northern giant hornet have been reported in Washington since 2021.
This notable achievement stems from effective collaboration between the community and scientists.
Local residents played a pivotal role by setting traps and reporting any hornet sightings.
Researchers successfully trapped a live specimen, which they then tracked back to its nest in an alder tree using a cleverly crafted radio tag made from dental floss.
Just in time, they destroyed the nest before the queens could make their appearance.
An entomologist with over 25 years of experience noted the rarity of such victories in the fight against invasive insects, emphasizing the significance of this outcome.
Impact of the Northern Giant Hornet
Initially dubbed the Asian giant hornet, these creatures sparked global alarm when they were implicated in the deaths of 42 people and injuries to 1,675 others in China back in 2013.
While the annual number of fatalities from bee and hornet stings in the U.S. hovers around 72, the threat posed by these hornets remains particularly concerning.
The northern giant hornet first made its presence felt on North American shores in British Columbia in August 2019, and by December, Washington state confirmed its existence following reports from local citizens.
Beekeepers alerted authorities to attacks on hives, providing samples in the summer of 2020.
Experts speculate that these hornets might have come over in shipping containers or potted plants.
DNA analysis reveals that the populations of northern giant hornets found in British Columbia and Washington did not originate from the same source, suggesting multiple points of entry.
Encouragingly, British Columbia has reported no new cases since 2021, with the Invasive Species Centre in Canada also announcing the eradication of these hornets in their region.
Threat to Pollinators and Conclusion
The northern giant hornet presents a real danger to pollinators and native insects alike.
Capable of decapitating honeybees and invading hives in less than 90 minutes, these hornets fiercely protect their territories while harvesting larvae to nurture their own young.
Adding to the alarm, the venom of these hornets is nearly seven times stronger than that of a honeybee, making their stings especially perilous.
They can pierce through most beekeeping protective gear and can deliver multiple stings in one attack.
This emergence and subsequent eradication highlight the ongoing battle against invasive species in the U.S., underscoring the importance of community involvement and scientific intervention.
Source: Stripes