The Asian giant hornet disclosed last year by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. [Photo by AFP Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] In Washington State, USA, the so-called 'murder hornet' has been spotted, prompting agricultural authorities to remain vigilant.
On the 13th (local time), CNN and others reported that a live murder hornet was observed in Whatcom County, Washington. Previously, the presence of this hornet had been confirmed twice in the US, but both times only dead specimens were found; this is the first time a live one has been captured on sight.
The murder hornet is a species of giant hornet mainly found in East Asia, including Korea, with adults growing up to 64mm in body length. The sting of the giant hornet is much longer and more toxic than that of common hornets, and it can penetrate beekeepers' protective suits. In the US, it is referred to as the 'Asian giant hornet.'
The murder hornet was first discovered in the US in 2019. The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) explained that this hornet is considered an invasive species in the US, and if it grows and spreads, it could negatively impact Washington State's environment, economy, and public health. Authorities also consider the murder hornet a threat to the ecosystem as it kills honeybees and native American hornets and destroys hives, thus keeping a close watch on it.
After officially confirming this fact, the WSDA has begun tracking to eradicate the hives. Agricultural authorities are setting traps in areas where hornets appear, such as Washington and British Columbia in Canada, capturing them alive and attaching trackers to locate the hives.
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