The Murder Hornet War Is Over: Species Officially Eradicated from U.S.

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As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for survival horror games, I can’t help but draw parallels between our real-life battle against the murder hornets and my countless hours spent fending off hordes of virtual creatures. The news that we’ve officially eradicated the northern giant hornet in Washington state is nothing short of a triumphant victory, reminiscent of the final level boss in a game where you thought all hope was lost.

If you’ve been curious about what became of the rumored “murder hornets” invasion a couple of years ago, we now have some clarity on the matter.

In late 2019, the large and ominously named hornet, often referred to as the “murder hornet,” was first detected near the Canadian border in Washington state. Interestingly, a different group of these hornets had been discovered in British Columbia, Canada, just a few months prior. As of December 19th, officials from both the Washington and US Agriculture Departments have confirmed that the aggressive invasive species has been successfully eliminated.

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Winning the fight against the northern giant hornet, aka the murder hornet

It’s great news that we’ve successfully eliminated the northern giant hornet from Washington state, as stated by Derek Sandison, WSDA director. I’m immensely proud of our tireless team who have invested years in protecting not only our state but also the nation, against this harmful invader threatening our native pollinators and agriculture. I’d like to extend my appreciation to the federal, state, and local entities that aided us in achieving this milestone. This victory is a testament to our collective dedication and cooperation.

The endeavor required cooperation between scientists and community members who observed sightings, set up traps, and employed modern technology to combat an intimidating insect threat. Researchers caught hornets, attached miniature tracking devices to them using dental floss, and tracked them back to their nests to eradicate them. While this method may seem excessive, invasive species such as the northern giant hornet should not be underestimated; just ask the crew from Life (currently streaming on Peacock), who sacrificed their lives defending Earth from an alien invasion. Fortunately, northern giant hornets aren’t as deadly as the fictional Martians, but they can decimate entire honeybee colonies in a matter of hours.

Luckily, there have been no sightings of giant hornets in British Columbia or Washington since 2021, suggesting a rare success against this invasive species. Yet, given that these hornets could potentially cross the Pacific Ocean twice, it’s important to remember that this is an ongoing battle. Continuous vigilance is necessary to keep the northern giant hornet and other invasive species under control.

Everything to know about the northern giant hornet

Contrary to their ominous name, giant hornets aren’t typically dangerous towards humans. In fact, they cause fewer human fatalities per year than smaller North American insects. However, they pose a grave risk to honeybees, which are extremely susceptible to attacks by these hornets. A relatively small group of hornets can annihilate an entire hive within approximately 90 minutes.

Absolutely, you wouldn’t want to encounter these hornets either. Notably larger than common hornets, the stingers of northern giant hornets measure a quarter inch and can deliver venom seven times stronger. They also have the ability to spray their painful venom into your eyes. Recognizable by their hornet-like body structure, they tend towards orange shades rather than yellow, with dark brown or black highlights. Worker and drone hornets reach approximately 1.5 inches in length, while queens can exceed two inches. They prefer to establish nests within trees or underground, and their larvae create silk cocoons for pupation.

Here’s one way of paraphrasing the given text:

Japanese honeybees produce heat by contracting their flight muscles during winter, a mechanism that has evolved for them to withstand higher body temperatures. When a giant hornet threatens the hive, around 100 bees retreat slightly inside the entrance and lie in wait. Upon the hornet’s intrusion, these defenders encircle it with their bodies, causing a sphere of bees to form. By contracting their flight muscles collectively, they increase the temperature and carbon dioxide levels within the sphere until the hornet perishes. In contrast, western honeybees lack this defense mechanism, necessitating human intervention for their survival.

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2024-12-20 00:01