Giant hornet invasion becomes latest 2020 concern

[IceIce9]

Praying mantis eats murder hornet in frightening video

I have seen several videos in the past few days of a praying mantis killing and eating murder hornets.

If you don’t want to watch the videos, I understand, but just know that praying mantises are our heroes!!

 

[IceIce9]

Praying mantis eats murder hornet in frightening video

I have seen several videos in the past few days of a praying mantis killing and eating murder hornets.

I understand if you don’t want to watch the videos, but know that praying mantises are our heroes!!

 

[Vail]

other than their potential threat to bees, don't see why people are freaking out so much. We've had these hornets in my part of europe for as long as I can remember and they're not very aggressive. If one comes through the window, we just light some incense and wave it around it and they buzz off real quick. I'm more worried about being bit by a wolf spider, personally.

 

[Niner]

View attachment 246096

 

[SaguaroSpirit]

 

[SaguaroSpirit]

 

[SaguaroSpirit]

 

[ChatteringBirds]

other than their potential threat to bees, don't see why people are freaking out so much. We've had these hornets in my part of europe for as long as I can remember and they're not very aggressive. If one comes through the window, we just light some incense and wave it around it and they buzz off real quick. I'm more worried about being bit by a wolf spider, personally.

Are you saying they are not a significant threat to bees?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Don’t get stung by misinformation


People, get a grip. Yes, the Asian giant hornet, now famously known as the “murder hornet,” is one huge scary wasp, capable of decimating an entire colony of honeybees and savagely stinging and possibly killing humans who get in their way.

But since last week, when it was reported that two hornets were spotted for the first time in Washington state, the national panic has led to the needless slaughter of native wasps and bees, beneficial insects whose populations are already threatened, said Doug Yanega, senior museum scientist for the Department of Entomology at UC Riverside. (Bees, for one, are the planet’s pollinators-in-chief, pollinating approximately 75% of the fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Millions and millions of innocent native insects are going to die as a result of this,” Yanega said today. “Folks in China, Korea and Japan have lived side by side with these hornets for hundreds of years, and it has not caused the collapse of human society there. My colleagues in Japan, China and Korea are just rolling their eyes in disbelief at what kind of snowflakes we are.”
Panicked over 'murder hornets,' people are killing native bees we desperately need

 

[MajorHoople]

Giant killer hornet believed to be a new species and the largest in the world has been discovered in southern China

Not only is the hornet huge, so is the nest. This one is over 6 feet in diameter.

"The photo of the hive that astounded the insect expert had a diameter greater than 79inches (2m), and the man (pictured) in the could only wrap his arm two-thirds of the way round it"

 

[MajorHoople]

Here's an article from 2013 with lots of photos.

China Goes To War With The Killer Giant Hornets That Have Claimed 42 Lives Already

Chinese authorities have sent exterminators to Shaanxi province

Cities have been terrorized for three months by giant insects

There have been 42 deaths and 1,600 have been left with bullet-like wounds

Species is already in France and could spread to Britain

 

[SaguaroSpirit]

 

[MsJosie]

Giant killer hornet believed to be a new species and the largest in the world has been discovered in southern China

Not only is the hornet huge, so is the nest. This one is over 6 feet in diameter.

"The photo of the hive that astounded the insect expert had a diameter greater than 79inches (2m), and the man (pictured) in the could only wrap his arm two-thirds of the way round it"

Question....is this another “experiment” that went wild and escaped, more then likely from China....again?

 

[ColyH]

 

[raffydark]

Giant hornets invasion? Come on...this is ridiculous...
It looks like a sci-fi b movie
Some people (many "pens for hire") love to scare people

 

[MajorHoople]

Asian hornets eat up to 50 honey bees daily: Experts are fighting back as nests are found in Britain | Daily Mail Online

Asian Hornets Are Ruthless Killers Of Other Flying Insects, Including Honey-Bees

David Leafe Visited Jersey And Joined A Team Hunting For The Destructive Hornets

Volunteer Bob Hogge, 69 Tags And Tracks Hornets, Leading Him To The Main Nests

The Team Are Focusing On Destroying Nests Before The Queens Depart By October


"High above Bonne Nuit Bay on the north coast of Jersey, a grey-bearded 69 year old with binoculars around his neck and a glint in his eye is emerging from the foliage on a clifftop path.

The beach here was once a filming location for the hit TV detective series Bergerac and there is a hint of that maverick detective about Bob Hogge.

In his waxed coat and wellingtons, he is far from the womaniser played by John Nettles. But Bob also likes to get his man - or rather his pest."

 

[Niner]

 

[MajorHoople]

First 'murder hornet' is captured in a bottle trap in Washington state | Daily Mail Online

"Agriculture officials have captured their first Asian giant hornet this month in Washington State - and are in a race against the clock to find the rest before mating season starts.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed in a press release that the Asian giant hornet, nicknamed 'murder hornet', was trapped on July 14.

Officials set up bottle trap near Birch Bay in Whatcom County and, following a review at WSDA's entomology lab, confirmed the hornet's species on July 29.

This is the first hornet detected in a set trap, rather than found in the environment like the last five confirmed sightings in Washington.

'This is encouraging because it means we know that the traps work,' Sven Spichiger, managing entomologist for the department. said in the press release."

"Now, agriculture officials have just two months to locate the rest of the invasive species and remove them from Washington before mating season.

The department said that by mid-September the Asian giant hornet colony will begin reproducing new queens and drones.

'Destroying the nest before new queens emerge and mate will prevent the spread of this invasive pest,' the department said.

The WSDA said they will search for Asian giant hornets with infrared cameras and place extra traps to capture the insect alive.

'If they catch live hornets, the department will attempt to tag and track them back to their colony. Once located, the agency will eradicate the colony,' the department said."

 

[ColyH]

How do we know that hornet wasn't caught on purpose as part of a diabolical plan to lead the WSDA into a trap laid by the hornets.

 

[IceIce9]

other than their potential threat to bees, don't see why people are freaking out so much. We've had these hornets in my part of europe for as long as I can remember and they're not very aggressive. If one comes through the window, we just light some incense and wave it around it and they buzz off real quick. I'm more worried about being bit by a wolf spider, personally.

Bees are already in trouble in the US.