Asian Giant Hornet-What to Know

There has been a buzz of information this week about the "murder wasp". If you are looking for factual information about the Asian Giant Hornet, here is a good fact sheet from Washington State University.  And here is a report on its damage in Asia, translated at The Ohio State University:​

 photo by Washington State Department of Agriculture. Not for commercial use. photo URL. 

This video also shows how it raids a honey bee hive. If you live in an affected area,  check out the Washington State Department of Agriculture's  website for resources on what the wasp looks like, how to report a sighting, and a friendly reminder to stay safe. 

​This new article from Scientific American discusses the threat of this hornet to honey bees, and puts that threat in context. The University of Minnesota Extension program has also provided some useful answers to frequently asked questions. 

For most of us, it is unlikely that an encounter with this invasive species will happen any time soon.