NEWARK, NJ — Are giant, invasive “murder hornets” from Asia invading the United States? Fuggetaboutit, a New Jersey expert says.
The insect known as Vespa mandarinia may be capturing news headlines, some of which have dubbed it the “murder hornet,” but it hasn’t been spotted in North America beyond a handful of sightings in Washington and British Columbia last year, according to scientists at Rutgers University.
What’s more, the Asian giant hornet hasn’t been officially confirmed anywhere on the West Coast since, pointed out Dina Fonseca, director of the Center for Vector Biology in the university’s department of entomology.
In New Jersey, people have been sending suspected Vespa mandarinia specimens to Rutgers Cooperative Extension county offices, which has been analyzing them for identification. None have turned out to be the Asian giant hornet.
State and wildlife officials in Washington are also tracking any future Vespa mandarinia sightings.
Fonseca said it’s still unknown how the species arrived in the U.S. to begin with. But there’s one thing the professor is sure of: It’s important not to overreact.
And while you’re at it, don’t go around swatting every flying creature with a stinger that you come across, Fonseca added.
“While citizens in the Pacific Northwest can help detect any emerging hornets this spring, which is critical for its control, the indiscriminate killing of bees, wasps or other hornet lookalikes would be detrimental because of their beneficial roles as plant pollinators and predators of agricultural pests,” Fonseca said.
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MEET VESPA MANDARINIA
The Asian giant hornet is a bug that can pack a punch, experts say.
Vespa mandarinia can reach up to 2 inches in length, making it the world’s largest species of hornet. It’s known to aggressively attack honeybees and eat their larvae, and just a few dozen can ravage entire colonies within a few hours. Washington State University (WSU) recently published a fact sheet with identification and guidance for the public.
While the insect can pose a threat to humans, the bigger concern is for honeybees and their keepers. Researchers at WSU noted that if the hornet becomes established, it will have a “severe and damaging impact” on the honeybee population and the beekeeping industry.
According to the WSU Pest Alert, Asian giant hornets aren’t usually aggressive towards people, but may sting when threatened. Stings can cause anaphylactic shock for people who are allergic to the venom, but can also be lethal to people who are not allergic if a sufficient dose is received.
Nests are formed in the ground and are challenging to locate. The insects’ native territory includes parts of China, India, Bhutan, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Taiwan and Thailand, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Additional prey includes other species of Vespa, such as yellowjackets and paper wasps, as well as beetles, caterpillars and spiders.
See related article: It’s ‘Ridiculous’ To Call The Asian Giant Hornet A ‘Murder Hornet’