Asian Giant Hornets

Jesse Fulbright, MSU Liberty County Extension

There has been a lot of talk on social media lately, some in jest, some serious about the topic of “murder” hornets.  While there isn’t a risk here, as far as I know, there is a lot of curiosity and I wanted to put out some fact-based information about the hornets.

First, to be clear about the name, technically, the name of the hornet is the Asian giant hornet.  A hornet is simply a large wasp.  It is unclear where the “murder hornet” moniker came from.  The hornet was first discovered in North America in August 2019 in British Columbia, with other sightings occurring in Washington state in December 2019. 

The Asian giant hornet is the largest hornet species in the world and ranges from 1.5-2 inches long and is native to temperate and tropical Eastern Asia.  They can be distinguished from other similar species by their large size and yellow-orange head.  They only nest in the ground, taking advantage of things like hollow trees or rodent tunnels for their nests.  They have been known to target honeybee hives, particularly in July through November, and with only a small number needed to destroy an entire colony, they represent a large concern to the honeybee industry.  They also feed on other insects for food.

Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Agriculture

 

While the Asian giant hornet does not usually attack humans, there is, I think, a large amount of concern about them, especially given the heightened sense of awareness that all of us are under due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  So, while the hornet is a potential health concern for us, as their venom is very toxic and they will attack if threatened, please remember that they are not among us at this time.  If you find yourself in a situation where you are being attacked by any bees, be they bees, wasps or hornets, there is some advice to follow.  First, get away from them as quickly as possible.  This doesn’t mean to bolt and panic, losing any common sense of your surroundings in your desire to get away.  I have seen examples of this type of behavior when people interact with bees and it can end badly, especially if one is near a busy street or parking lot.  So, don’t panic.  Bees, wasps, and hornets tend to give a warning before they begin an attack, even though you might not be aware of one.  The best strategy is to run and get far away.  Running in a straight line isn’t the only option.  Weaving around trees and bushes can help elude pursuing bees.  The best bet is to get inside a building or vehicle, if possible. 

Once again, the Asian giant hornet is not known to be in Montana at this time.  However, the public should be aware of potential invasion and notify the Montana Department of Agriculture if they suspect any Asian giant hornet activity.  Feel free to contact your local county Extension office also with further questions regarding this hornet.