Two Eye-catching with black and orange marks and long stingers were spotted late last year near Blaine, Washington. This then prompted scientists to begin a massive search to stop the creatures from increasing in number.


Succeeding examination revealed the discoveries were identified as "Asian giant hornets," the largest wasps of the world, growing almost two inches long.

Also, scientists have expressed concern that these hornets could spread throughout Washington State and even beyond, fostering a threat to bees in the US. Reports said, nobody knows how until now, how the hornets arrive in the country.

However, discoveries initiated alarms, and these insects started trending on social media, being labeled as "murder hornets." These so-called "predators," native to Japan and East Asia, are said to be notorious when it comes to destroying colonies of the honeybee.


These Hornets are Known for Killing People

With the venoms the large stringers of these "murder hornets" deliver, they are already recognized "for killing their native habitats." Mainly, in Japan, roughly 50 people, on average, die each year from the stings of hornets.

Then, in 2013, when the Hornets' population was extraordinarily high, they killed more than 40 people in a single province in China. Most serious incidents usually take place when people are coming near or distract the hives of these insects.

According to Chris Looney, a Washington State Department of Agriculture entomologist, the said insects "Are pretty formidable," and this, he said, worried him a lot.

Looney, at the same time, warned, beginning with the nickname, "murder hornet." The entomologist shared, he had not heard the said nickname before the recent media coverage of the hornets, admitting he does not like it.


Ravenous Species

Currently, researchers cannot confirm the "murder hornets" arrived. Most likely, Looney said it is the insects got accidentally stuck in shipping containers, which came from one of the countries they originated.

Reportedly, the insects' complete hive was discovered and destroyed late last year in neighboring Nanaimo, Canada. However, according to genetic tests, the said giant hornets were separately introduced.

Essentially, the Asian giant hornets that came from East Asia and Japan have already established themselves as intrusive species in other countries like South Korea, for one.

Moreover, these large wasps form colonies that consist of a queen and a lot of workers who can fly and reach half-a-dozen miles or even farther from their hive to search for food.

Hornets eat many different kinds of insects. However, they appear to enjoy eating bees, specifically. That is why, each time they encounter honeybees, these wasps' attack begins with what Looney explained, "A slaughter phase."

Slaughter phase, the entomologist elaborated, means the serial biting of the heads off bees with the hornets' large mandibles. He added, within just 90 minutes or an hour and a half, a small group of these Asian hornets or "murder hornets" to some, can destroy the workers' entire colony.

The hornets then switch to feeding. They inhabit the honeybee nest for at least a week, feeding on the larvae and pupae. Then, they have their own young to eat it.

Wasp expert and researcher at the Kyoto Sangyo University in Japan, Jun-ichi Takahashi, agreed that the damage of wasps to the environment could be considerable wherever they spread. He also backed the initiatives to contain the said spread.

Takahashi, who was interviewed through e-mail said, the label, "murder hornet" is suitable as the species is as hazardous as killer bees, a nickname used for the African honeybee.



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