Murder hornet!

[Hilljackoutlaw]

'Murder hornets' have arrived in the U.S.—here's what you should know

The world's largest wasp has been spotted in Washington State, but don't panic—efforts are underway to stop it from spreading.

api.nationalgeographic.com

 

[come2elmo]

At least I have my work from home kit dialed in.

 

[Bgriffith]

This is almost fun to listen to the national media pick up on this when our local ag newspaper did a big write up on this a mouth or more ago. If I can find it I’ll drop a link to it. If I recall they aren’t sure if it’s something that came in from Vancouver bc in a shipment of goods and is a one off (or two) thing or if they truly are colonizing here and in southern bc. Thus why they are pushing this trapping thing this spring and summer to see what the population really is. It could be just a few hornets that hitched a ride... or worse

 

[Bgriffith]

Capital press link
Ok more sightings then I remembered lol if the link doesn’t work the article was from January 3ed

 

[westbranch]

I am thinking some hardcast rounds in my 10mm will handle these guys just fine. No need for a big revolver. You guys that only carry spray are going to be in trouble.

 

[Dwreckers]

They are local here in the PNW now. Heard of a bee keeper who had his hives destroyed by some. All they leave is a pile of heads behind

 

[Ben Lamb]

I did not have murder hornets on my end of the world bingo card. Sad.

 

[belshawelk]

 

[Phaseolus]

Here’s an Entomologist’s perspective on the ‘Murder’ hornet From Dr. Whitney Cranshaw. Whitney was a Professor I took classes from, a Boss, and then a Colleague.

There has been a run on questions regarding the Asian giant hornet after a news article came out over the weekend.

That is a sensational story but couple of things to keep in mind.

First of all within the United States the Asian giant hornet is presently found (only very recently) in a tiny area of NE Washington and, perhaps, an adjacent area of BC. And there are efforts to try and eradicate it. Still too early too know if that is possible, but a variety of traps and controls have been developed for this in Asia and these can be adapted to try and use here.

Second, it is a woodland species adapted to moist, low elevation sites. Like the area where it presently occurs, not like anywhere in Colorado.

Third, this is not an insect that hitchhikes well (as does the European paper wasp) so for it to spread, it is on its own. And between eastern Washington and western Colorado there are thousands of geographic barriers that it would likely not be able to cross. I can not see any scenario on how it could get to Colorado on its own. (Not to mention it likely would not be well adapted to the area, and likely would not establish, if someone were to carry it here.)

Fourth, in the article much was made about it being a threat to honey bees. This is a generalist predator and honey bees are only one of many kinds of insects this insect hunts. It goes after large insects, mantids, probably katydids/tree crickets, likely social wasps (such as paper wasps) with accessible nest.... Hives of honey bees located near prime habitat of the Asian giant wasp - moist, low elevation wooded areas may be at some risk; hives located elsewhere would not. Whether this would be any worse that some of the hunting wasps established in NA that take out bees (the "bee wolves, Philanthus spp.) or western yellowjackets that not uncommonly take out weak honey bee colonies, is to be seen. I am not saying that this is not a species that can be detrimental to to honey bees, but let's keep it in proper perspective, as, if it permanently establishes, it will likely fall far down the line among the many recently established pests that pose problems to honey bees in North America (e.g,, varroa mite, small hive beetle, Nosema ceranae, many viruses......)

And finally, the name "murder wasp" is just silly and needlessly inflammatory. Its a predator it eats other insects, like all mantids, most all lady beetles and lacewings, all spiders, etc., etc. etc. Lady beetles are not "murder beetles", robber flies are not called "murder flies". (Although we do call the family Reduviidae the assassin bugs.)

And we have three wasp families (Sphecidae, Crabronidae, Pompilidae) that are very well represented in most any yard/garden in the state which are generally referred to by the far more benign term "hunting wasps". These insects paralyze their prey, haul the paralyzed insect to some nest, lay an egg on it and have a larval stage that slowly consumes the live - but paralyzed - insect. Should we call these the "kidnap and slowly butcher" wasps?

Whitney Cranshaw
Colorado State University

 

[Ben Lamb]

Ok, I hear what you are saying, but MURDER HORNETS!

 

[marshman]

Hop they kill 'em all, this area is about 5 hours from my place. I like honey bees.

 

[schmalts]

I hope they are not going to sting me when I am quartering an elk., Those frigging meat bees suck

 

[Gerald Martin]

What are the Chinese going to turn loose on us next?

It’s getting to a place where it isn’t safe to play in the street anymore.

 

[Ben Lamb]

What are the Chinese going to turn loose on us next?

It’s getting to a place where it isn’t safe to play in the street anymore.

Emotionally unstable ferrets. They already have a toehold in Michigan, I hear.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Emotionally unstable ferrets. They already have a toehold in Michigan, I hear.

Meh, the ferrets can have Detroit.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Meh, the ferrets can have Detroit.

Don't sell out Motown. Give them Flint.

 

[LuketheDog]

Emotionally unstable ferrets. They already have a toehold in Michigan, I hear.

I think they elected one as governor

 

[Gerald Martin]

We can designate Flint a sanctuary city for undiagnosed ferrets and then they will all flock (actually herd) (actually what do multiple ferrets who congregate call themselves?) there and die of lead poisoning from the water.

I am expecting a call anytime to be appointed to a blue ribbon Presidential commission...

Oh silly us. Look at us speculating about how to fix a problem that doesn’t really exist....

I say we introduce honey badgers to assassinate the murder hornets.

 

[jabber]

Oh no, the murder hornets.....How much toilet paper should we get?

 

[Europe]

What are the Chinese going to turn loose on us next?

It’s getting to a place where it isn’t safe to play in the street anymore.

How in the h--- is it possible for me to be staring at my 90th in a couple of years, when I was born and raised in Arizona

Black Widow, Scorpion, Rattlesnake, Gila monster, centipede, mountain lions, bears--plus ASSASSIN Bugs and KILLER Bees----( technical names were Kissing Bug and Africa Bee ), but Assassin and Killer was better press. (-:

And this was before my trips to Africa and the Amazon------I am one lucky B----, scratch that--add girl, for the political correct crowd. Hunting wife, could not resist (-: