Trapping confirms no northern giant hornets found in Washington state this year

Citizen trapping of northern big hornets in northwest Washington ended Nov. 30 with none confirmed sightings of the hornets this 12 months, state officers stated Tuesday.

The Washington State Division of Agriculture additionally stated that no confirmed sightings of the hornets, often known as “homicide hornets,” had been reported close by in British Columbia, Canada. The northern big hornet is native to Asia and has been the goal of eradication efforts after hornets had been found in each places in 2019.

Greater than 1,000 northern big hornet traps had been set over the summer time by Washington state residents and entomologists. Hornets caught in traps assist scientists discover the placement of nests.

Officers stated whereas there have been no confirmed sightings, it’s nonetheless necessary to be looking out for the hornets and report any, useless or alive, to the state Agriculture Division’s web site.

In keeping with state entomologists, the northern big hornets season sometimes runs from July via November. The hornets is not going to be thought of eradicated till Washington has gone three years with no detections. Confirmed sightings of the pest had been final recorded in 2021.

The bugs are the world’s largest hornets, with queens reaching as much as 2 inches lengthy. They’re thought of invasive in North America for his or her potential to kill different bee and hornet species, which is how they obtained their nickname “homicide hornets.”

The hornets may ship a painful sting, which may be lethal if an individual is stung repeatedly. They hardly ever assault individuals.

The Entomological Society of America this summer time established northern big hornet because the official identify for the insect.

Scientists have stated they imagine the hornets within the U.S. are confined in Whatcom County, which is situated on the Canadian border north of Seattle. Washington state entomologists have eradicated a complete of 4 northern big hornet nests in that space.

It’s not recognized how the pest was launched into the area.