Giant hornet invasion becomes latest 2020 concern

[BetteDavisEyes]

Asian giant hornet invasion becomes latest 2020 concern

The term "murder hornet" began to trend online as the internet latched onto the species' invasion as yet another strange development of 2020.

An invasion of Asian giant hornets became the latest 2020 worry — and internet sensation — as the term "murder hornet" began to trend over the weekend.

The first spotting of the 2-inch Asian giant hornet, or vespa mandarinia, was verified in the United States in December, according to the Washington state Agriculture Department. The insect does not generally target people or pets, but it is a deadly threat to at-risk honeybee hives...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

‘Murder Hornets’ in the U.S.: The Rush to Stop the Asian Giant Hornet

Sightings of the Asian giant hornet have prompted fears that the vicious insect could establish itself in the United States and devastate bee populations.

 

[Niner]

 

[ChatteringBirds]

They might not become established, or a widespread problem if they do, but for them to become established at all and for anyone to fall victim would be awful. And some say it might be tough to stop them. So fingers crossed the scientists (who are heroes) trying to stop them do succeed.

'Murder hornets' have arrived in the U.S.—here's what you should know

 

[al66pine]

Murder Hornet pic. LOL? from reddit.com subforum "cats". Posted by u/ccc15650

"Close up of the murder hornets that are invading the USA"

Cats

 

[LietKynes]

Murder Hornet pic. LOL? from reddit.com subforum "cats". Posted by u/ccc15650

"Close up of the murder hornets that are invading the USA"

Cats

Awww....
Well if they looked like that....

There were pics last year in (I think) the DM, of stings that looked horrendous.
Yikes.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

This is what getting stung by a ‘murder hornet’ looks and feels like

Try not to shudder

By now, you’ve likely heard of the terrifying-sounding “murder hornets” that have recently made their way to the U.S.

For most of us, there are extremely high hopes that we’ll never have a run-in with one, as the insect, that originates in Japan, is not only scary looking, but it kills about 30 people each year there...

 

[cujenn81]

What is a 'Murder Hornet'? | Smart News | Smithsonian Magazine

No, Americans Do Not Need to Panic About ‘Murder Hornets’
The Asian giant hornet, seen for the first time in North America in 2019, is unlikely to murder you or U.S. bees, according to Smithsonian entomologist

The Asian giant hornet is a big, mean-looking insect with a potent sting. Their queens can grow to be up to two inches long and their quarter-inch stingers can pierce normal beekeeping attire. They are also voracious predators capable of massacring entire honey bee hives in a matter of hours—decapitating thousands of the hive’s adult bees and absconding with the helpless larvae to feed the hornets’ own brood.

As their name suggests, the hornets are native to Asia, but at the tail end of 2019, they were seen in North America for the first time.

The four confirmed sightings of the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) in the United States, along with two more in Canada, occurred in 2019 between September and December. The American sightings were all of individual hornets, but in September, a nest was found and destroyed on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Since the hornets were spotted last year, entomologists at Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) have been preparing to nip this potential invasion in the bud. Asian giant hornets typically hibernate during the winter and emerge again in April, and the researchers spent last month setting traps to locate and eradicate any hives.

 

[Steft50]

What is a 'Murder Hornet'? | Smart News | Smithsonian Magazine

No, Americans Do Not Need to Panic About ‘Murder Hornets’
The Asian giant hornet, seen for the first time in North America in 2019, is unlikely to murder you or U.S. bees, according to Smithsonian entomologist

Since the hornets were spotted last year, entomologists at Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) have been preparing to nip this potential invasion in the bud. Asian giant hornets typically hibernate during the winter and emerge again in April, and the researchers spent last month setting traps to locate and eradicate any hives.

I cannot express how much I hope they succeed!

 

[Niner]

 

[illyana]

Killer Bees, Fire Ants, okay Murder Hornets.

I'm not afraid of insects. Virii on the other hand ...

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Spotted this on Twitter - seems apt!!

 

[meanmaryjean]

Trust me- the next plot twist is gonna be a sharknado.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Trust me- the next plot twist is gonna be a sharknado.

Let the conspiracy theories begin! The giant hornets were generated in a lab on Mars

 

[meanmaryjean]

It's almost like someone let SYFY Channel write the script for 2020.

 

[SaguaroSpirit]

IMG 3852 GIF | Gfycat

 

[SaguaroSpirit]

 

[mickey2942]

I read that one sting from the "Asian Hornet", feels like being shot with a nail gun, filled with hot nails. The wounds look like people have been shot.

Forgot about the Pandemic, I am never leaving the house, due to the Killer Hornets.

 

[Niner]

I read that one sting from the "Asian Hornet", feels like being shot with a nail gun, filled with hot nails. The wounds look like people have been shot.

Forgot about the Pandemic, I am never leaving the house, due to the Killer Hornets.

LOL! They are DEFINITELY HUGE!!

 

[SaguaroSpirit]