First Asian giant hornet nest eradicated in U.S. this year

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State entomologists eradicated an Asian giant hornet nest with nearly 1,500 hornets in various life stages in east Blaine August 25. The nest was three times the size of the first nest found just two miles away in October 2020.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) vacuumed worker hornets from the nest that was found August 19 at the base of a dead alder tree, according to an August 26 WSDA press release. Entomologists discovered a nest with nine combs inside the tree. Using nets, WSDA caught more hornets during the eradication.

WSDA transported the nest to Washington State University’s Bellingham extension for analysis.

“While we are glad to have found and eradicated this nest so early in the season, this detection proves how important public reporting continues to be,” WSDA managing entomologist Sven Spichiger said in a statement. “We expect there are more nests out there and, like this one, we hope to find them before they can produce new queens. Your report may be the one that leads us to a nest.”

On August 11, an east Blaine landowner reported a photo of an Asian giant hornet eating a paper wasp nest on the eaves of their house. After the reporting, WSDA attempted to track three live hornets between August 11 and August 17, with the third hornet bringing entomologists to the nest about one-quarter of a mile away.

Scientists first detected the Asian giant hornet in the U.S. in late 2019. Since then, scientists have been working to remove the species that can decapitate honeybee hives in a few hours. This is the second nest scientists have eradicated in the U.S., the first being in October 2020. In 2020, WSDA found over 500 hornets in the nest with six combs.

The apex predator can grow up to 2 inches and has an orange-and-black body with large, almond-shaped eyes.

To report a suspected Asian giant hornet sighting, visit agr.wa.gov/hornets.

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