Murder Hornets
also known as
Asian Giant Hornets
Asian giant hornet (AGH) (Vespa mandarinia) is the world's largest species of hornet. Live AGH were identified in December 2019 in Washington, United States. Canada has also discovered Asian giant hornet in two locations in British Columbia in the fall of 2019. Before 2019, the AGH had been intercepted from imported shipments, but the insects were dead.
The Asian giant hornet is a problem for agriculture because it attacks and destroys honeybee hives. A few hornets can destroy a hive in a matter of hours. The hornets enter a "slaughter phase" where they kill bees by decapitating them. They then defend the hive as their own, taking the brood to feed their own young. They also attack other insects but are not known to destroy entire populations of those insects.
While they do not generally attack people or pets, they can attack when threatened. Their stinger is longer than that of a honeybee and their venom is more toxic. They can also sting repeatedly and can sting through common beekeeper suits.
If it becomes established, this hornet will have negative impacts on the environment, economy, and public health.
AGH can grow to be as large as 2 inches long.
(Photos from WDA and USDA)
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