According to the Bellingham (Wash.) Herald, there have been seven “Murder Hornets” found in Washington State since 2019.
The Bellingham (Wash.) Herald stated the insect is also known as the Japanese hornet, yak-killer hornet, the giant sparrow bee, and “murder hornet” dubbed by a New York Times article.
A “Murder Hornet” is an Asian giant hornet that can destroy hives of honeybees and deliver a painful sting to humans.
Northwestern farmers employ honeybees to pollinate crops such as apples, blueberries, and cherries.
The giant hornet measures 2-inches in length making it the world’s largest.
It’s unknown how the insects arrived in North America, they normally live in the forests and low mountains of eastern and Southeast Asia.
While officials are concerned about local honeybee populations, the danger to the average person is low, Washington State Department of Agriculture entomologist Chris Looney confirmed to USA TODAY this year.
The hornets are “probably not going to murder someone… don’t panic,” said Looney.
In his March presentation, Looney advised people that come in contact with the hornets to “just run away.”
Although Looney stated, the predators kill between 40 and 50 people annually in Japan – many victims suffer from allergies, but some have died from the potency of the venom alone.
Looney needs to get his story straight! He says the hornets are of minimal danger to the average. person, but they kill between 40 and 50 people in Japan annually. Something is not adding up!
Sources: USA Today
