The northern giant hornet, commonly known as the “murder hornet” due to its potent sting and capacity to devastate honey bee hives within hours, has been officially eradicated in the United States, five years after it was first identified in Washington state near the Canadian border. This announcement by the Washington and U.S. Departments of Agriculture marks the end of a concerted effort since 2021, with no recent detections in the state. The hornet, known for its destructive impact on pollinators, has also been declared eradicated in British Columbia, Canada.
This success was achieved through extensive collaboration between residents and researchers. Community members placed traps on their properties and reported sightings, while scientists utilized innovative techniques to locate and eliminate nests. Notably, researchers captured a live hornet, tagged it with a tiny radio device, and traced it to a nest in an alder tree. This nest was destroyed just as emerging queens were poised to spread. Officials described the eradication as a rare victory for humans in the battle against invasive insect species.
Murder Hornets’ Eradicated in U.S., Marking Victory Over Invasive Threat to Pollinators
The hornet, originally known as the Asian giant hornet, first gained global attention in 2013 for causing fatalities and injuries in China. In the U.S., the hornets were first detected in 2019 in British Columbia and Washington state. By 2020, beekeepers reported hive attacks, prompting DNA analysis that revealed the populations in Canada and the U.S. originated from different countries. Experts speculated that the hornets may have arrived in North America through international trade, such as plant pots or shipping containers.
These hornets posed a severe threat to local ecosystems, particularly pollinators like honey bees, which are crucial for agriculture. A single hornet attack can decimate an entire hive in under two hours. Their stings, capable of piercing beekeeping suits and delivering venom multiple times stronger than that of honey bees, added to the challenges faced by researchers and beekeepers. Specialized protective gear was even imported to ensure safety during eradication efforts.
Despite the success in eradicating northern giant hornets in Washington, officials remain vigilant. Traps will continue to be monitored in areas like Kitsap County, where an unconfirmed sighting was reported in October. Meanwhile, other invasive hornet species, such as the yellow-legged hornet in Georgia and South Carolina, continue to pose challenges elsewhere. Officials emphasize the importance of continued monitoring and public cooperation to prevent new infestations.
