The Washington State Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service has reported the that the first Asian giant hornet nest of 2021 has been located in a rural area east of Blaine, Wash., about one-quarter mile from where a resident reported a sighting of a live Asian giant hornet on Aug. 11, the first of 2021.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture narrowed the search area by August 17th, but was unable to access the location. A Washington State Department of Agriculture tracking team and a team staff accompanied by the Oregon Department of Agriculture searched the area for the nest Tuesday, August 17th.
Asian giant hornets have not yet been detected in Oregon, “we are pleased to participate and learn first-hand from our partners on what it takes to respond to introductions of this emerging pest.” Jake Bodart, Oregon Department of Agriculture Insect Pest Prevention Management program manager, said.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture netted, tagged with a tracker and released three hornets between August 11th thru Aug. 17th. One hornet slipped out of the tracking device, another hornet was never located, and one eventually led the team to the nest.
Washington State Department of Agriculture entomologists will now develop their plans to eradicate the nest, most likely next week.
Asian giant hornets are not native to the U.S. They are the world’s largest hornet and prey on honey bees and other insects. These hornets may attack honey bee hives in the late summer or early fall. A small group of Asian giant hornets can kill an entire honey bee hive in a matter of hours.
