Scientists found a dead Asian giant hornet north of Seattle, known as a
'killer hornet'
.
It is the first insect of its kind discovered in the country this year, federal and state researchers said Wednesday.
Entomologists (insect experts) from the US State and Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it is the first confirmed report from Snohomish County, north of Seattle, and appears to be unrelated to the hornet findings. in 2019 and 2020 in Canada and Whatcom County, located along the Canadian border.
A threat to the ecosystem
Although two-inch-long (five-centimeter) invasive insects are not particularly aggressive towards humans,
their bite is extremely painful
and, if repeated, even rare, can kill.
A Washington State Department of Agriculture worker holds two Asian giant hornets in Blaine, Washington, in October 2020. Elaine Thompson / AP
These insects native to Asia pose a
threat to honey
bees (honey), essential to pollinate crops, and native species of hornets.
They attack the hives, destroy them within hours, and
decapitate the bees
in what scientists call their "killing phase."
How did they get to the United States?
The hornets were first found near the US-Canada border in December 2019. It is unclear how they got here from Asia, although they are suspected of
traveling on cargo ships.
[Scientists find America's first giant hornet nest and are going to destroy it]
"Hornets are a side effect of all the trade we do globally
," Sven Spichiger, an entomologist with the state Department of Agriculture who leads the fight to eradicate hornets, told The Associated Press news agency.
Finding the last hornet
On this occasion, the department learned of the insect because a resident found it dead in his garden near the city of Marysville and reported it to the state agency.
Days later, entomologists retrieved it and reported that it was very dry and was a male hornet.
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Later, on June 11, entomologists confirmed through
DNA testing
that it was an Asian giant hornet.
There is no indication that the specimen is related to hornet introductions into Whatcom County or Canada.
In addition, considering the time of year, which was a male and that the specimen was exceptionally dry, experts believe that it is an
old hornet from a previous season
that was not discovered until now, according to officials.
New males don't usually emerge until at least July.
[Killer hornets threaten bees in the US and their sting is "like red-hot tacks"]
"The finding is puzzling because it
is too early for a male to emerge
,
"
said Dr. Osama El-Lissy, deputy administrator of the quarantine program at the Department of Agriculture.
The federal agency will work with state officials "to survey the area and see if there is a population in Snohomish County," El-Lissy said.
The hornet was sent to the Federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for final verification.
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According to Spichiger, the newly found insect lacked orange bands on its abdomen and probably came from a South Asian country.
"This new report continues to underline
the importance of public notification of all suspected invasive species
, but especially the Asian giant hornet," he said.
In 2020,
half of the confirmed sightings of the Asian giant hornet in Washington and all those confirmed in Canada came from the public
, authorities warned.
"We will now set traps in the area and encourage citizen scientists to set traps in Snohomish and King counties," Spichiger added.
"None of this would have happened without an alerted resident taking the time to take a photo and submit a report," he added.
The USDA has included giant hornets on the
quarantine pest
list
,
giving Washington state more tools to help eradicate the invasive species.
With information from AP.