You’ve likely heard about the infamous “murder hornets” in the past few months. These hornets have struck fear in the hearts of many, and it’s easy to understand why. The Asian giant hornet is by far the biggest hornet in the world. Their sting is known to inject potentially lethal amounts of neurotoxins that, with multiple stings, could be fatal. The main danger is the major threat they pose to the honeybee population. Although they’re mostly in Asia, the murder hornet was spotted in North America several months ago. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about murder hornets.
What Does the Giant Asian Hornet Look Like?
Murder hornets are infamously big and have a distinctive appearance. They have a light orange head with big, prominent eyes and distinctly sharp mandibles. In addition, their bodies are orange, black, and brown striped. They have 6 legs and a set of antennae, and their stingers are a quarter of an inch long! The most telling characteristic of the Asian giant hornet is their size. Queen murder hornets can exceed 2 inches in length, while worker hornets are about 1 ½ to 2 inches in length.
The Threats of Murder Hornets
Asian giant hornets typically do not attack humans unless they are provoked or feel their nest is threatened. A sting from a murder hornet is painful and contains neurotoxins. When multiple stings occur or when the victim is allergic, the neurotoxins can be very dangerous. Multiple stings can lead to organ failure and death.
Scientists are most concerned about how the honeybee population may be affected. Asian giant hornets attack honeybee hives, killing adult bees and devouring the larvae and pupae. A single murder hornet can kill dozens of bees in minutes, while a group of hornets can devour a hive of 30,000 bees in hours!
Are Murder Hornets in Albuquerque?
As of now, there have been no reports of Asian giant hornets in the Albuquerque or New Mexico area. The Asian giant hornet is typically found in China, Japan, and several other Asian countries. The first reports of them in the United States occurred in December 2019 in Washington State. It is currently unknown how these hornets first arrived in North America.
What is Being Done About These Hornets?
Scientists are currently leading the way to find, trap, and eradicate this pest before it becomes a major problem in the nation. Even though they haven’t been seen in our area, It’s important to stay away if you believe you’ve spotted one. With any type of stinging insect, it’s important to be very careful and always contact a licensed pest control professional. Pest Defense Solutions is ready to help.