Detected Murder Hornet Invasion in the U.S. Officially Ended, Authorities Verify
Detected Murder Hornet Invasion in the U.S. Officially Ended, Authorities Verify
Time to raise a glass for the demise of the murder hornet. Authorities from Washington state and the United States have declared that the northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) has been completely eliminated from American soil.
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the victory on Wednesday this week. The decision to eradicate the insect was made after a stretch of three years without any confirmed sightings of the insect anywhere in the nation. Scientists were concerned that if the hornet had managed to establish a foothold, it could have become a dangerous predator of honeybees and other local pollinators.
Mark Davidson, deputy administrator at the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, expressed satisfaction in a statement released from WSDA, saying "We are pleased to have achieved this landmark victory in the battle against invasive species."
The northern giant hornet is the largest hornet wasp currently roaming the earth. Known as the murder hornet due to its aggressive nature towards other insects, the hornets' stings are said to be responsible for approximately 50 human fatalities annually. These hornets are often responsible for wiping out entire beehives within hours, often decapitating their prey. Originating from Asia, they first appeared in the United States and Canada in 2019, specifically in the Pacific Northwest.
After their invasion, officials, scientists, and the public worked together to eradicate the hornets. People would alert their local entomologist of potential hornet nests in their neighborhood, and after confirming their presence, the scientists would locate the nests and neutralize them. At the height of their invasion, the scientists were able to eradicate as many as 1,500 hornets from each nest. However, since 2021, the murder hornet has not been detected in the state, though it's possible they've just gone into hiding.
WSDA received a report of a "suspicious hornet" in Kitsap County back in October. The scientists failed to retrieve a specimen from this sighting, leading them to set traps and encourage local residents to report any suspicious wasps. However, no further evidence of the hornet's return ever materialized, leading scientists to believe that this initial report was likely a misidentification. Despite its elimination from the state, WSDA plans to lay traps in the county next year as a precaution to prevent its return.
Sven Spichiger, WSDA pest program manager, stated in a statement, "Although they are now eradicated from the state, we will remain vigilant and encourage the public to do the same. They managed to infiltrate once, and they could do it again."
Unfortunately, the murder hornet is not the only invasive bee-killing wasp causing trouble in the United States lately. Both native and farmed bees continue to face various threats to their populations. However, for once, it appears that we were able to prevent a potential environmental disaster from unfolding.
The triumph over the murder hornet opens up opportunities for advancements in science and technology to protect other vulnerable species. With the elimination of this formidable predator, future bee populations in America may flourish unhindered.
Furthermore, the collaboration between authorities, scientists, and the public in eradicating the murder hornet serves as a model for future efforts in managing other invasive species, thereby ensuring a more diverse and healthier ecosystem for future generations.