The Killer Hornets Are Unlikely to Kill You Personally
Asian giant hornets have probably been in the Pacific Northwest for at least eight months , but it wasn’t until the New York Times called them killer hornets that we didn’t think to panic. It is true that they are dangerous to humans and to hives, but there is still time to prevent them from establishing themselves in North America.
What are these strange insects?
The Asian giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia , is a large wasp 1.5 to 2 inches long with black and orange markings. Like other wasps, they are predators. They especially enjoy breaking into hives, killing adults, and feeding on young ones.
Because they are so large, they can deliver a significant dose of poison, making them a threat to humans as well. Several bites are excruciating; dozens can send you to the hospital. However, they mostly sting us when protecting themselves or their families. They are not trying to kill us.
The experts studying these guys don’t like calling them killer hornets. Entomologist Gwen Pearson suggests calling them “Halloween Hornets” to describe their coloration.
How dangerous are they to humans?
They contain more venom than a regular bee or wasp, so their stings are more painful and dangerous than other stings you may have experienced. They can also sting standard beekeeper suits.
In Japan, between 30 and 50 people die from bites every year. This study shows that people who died from bites received an average of 59 bites, so you probably shouldn’t panic if you’ve only been stung once.
However, if you know you are allergic to bee stings or other insects, you can seek medical attention just in case.
Where did they come from?
Halloween hornets (I’ll go with this one) are most at home in East Asia, including the forested areas of Japan. We don’t know exactly how they got to the United States, but a USDA report notes that their dolls are a delicious portable snack, and it wouldn’t be surprising if someone was shipping or traveling with dolls meant to be eaten. , and some of them managed to escape. … They could also have entered by accident, for example, in a shipping container. We really don’t know.
Where are they now?
So far, hornets have only been seen in the Pacific Northwest, specifically in British Columbia and Washington state.
Pearson notes that the forests in this area are similar to their natural habitat. They also stick to the forest: “They’re not going to show up in the city,” she says.
There is still time to stop them
Unlike certain coronavirus, Halloween hornets are unlikely to spread quickly across the country. They are now only a problem in one small region, and there is still time to find and destroy nests before they fully take root.
If these hornets become more common, they could pose a threat to commercial beekeepers and crops that depend on hired hives. Pearson says we don’t know yet if they might also pose a threat to local bees.
What should I do if I see him?
First of all, Pearson has a warning: don’t try to catch him. Since their bites are painful and potentially dangerous, she advises leaving this alone. There are also many large striped insects that are not dangerous. If you want to confirm what you saw, here is her advice: “Take a picture and run away.”
Why take pictures? Well, the good news is that you can report these hornets so the experts know exactly where they are. The iNaturalist app is not only a great way to identify plants and animals around you , but it also helps scientists track the emergence of invasive species.
If you are in Washington State, there is an invasive insect app and website where you can report invasive insect sightings, both available here . You can also help by building hornet traps , which the state notes are best in late summer through fall.
And no matter where you are in the US, if you think you’ve spotted an Asian hornet, Pearson notes, you can always contact your county’s agricultural department and tell them what you saw.