If you’re anything like me, you’ll be wary of anything that flies, makes a deal of noise, and has the capacity to sting.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand the vital role creatures such as bees and wasps play, but that doesn’t mean I appreciate them buzzing round my picnic blanket while I’m trying to enjoy lunch in the sun.
And I’m not alone in that, which is why the startling reports concerning the influx of a dangerous insect species have me, well… startled. Read on if you want to know more!
There’s been a trend in recent years of reports suggesting an imminent – or indeed already underway – invasion of the United States by the Asian giant hornet, also referred to as the “murder hornet”.
The terrifying, winged insect was first spotted on US shores back in 2019, but since then sightings have continued, spreading fear through the hearts of all those who can usually be relied upon to tremble at the sound of a common yellow jacket.
As per reports, the last confirmed sighting occurred in Washington in August, 2021. Capable of delivering a stinging comparable to three to 10 yellow jackets stinging at once, the murder hornet is certainly not to be trifled with.
The Asian giant hornet gets its name from its skill at wiping out beehives, often decapitating thousands of bees in the process.
Not only that, but murder hornets – as previously touched upon – pack a very powerful sting that can even threaten humans. In fact, though rare, the sting of a murder hornet has been fatal for humans in the past.
As per reports, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is taking precautionary measures to combat the threat of this new blight.
After the 2019 incident in Washington, entomologists had planned to tag captured wasps in order to track them back to their nests, which could then be destroyed in order to prevent further spread.
You can learn more about murder hornets in the video below:
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