The Northern giant hornet, nicknamed the “murder hornet”, has been eradicated in the United States.
The insect was first spotted in Washington state (US) near the Canadian border in 2019.
Key points
The northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is the largest hornet in the world, measuring up to 2 inches long.
The hornets first came under the spotlight in 2013 when they killed at least 42 people in China, and seriously injured 1,675.
This invasive species is native to Asia.
The species poses a significant threat to insects and native pollinators. ‘Murder hornets’ can kill an entire beehive of honeybees in just 90 minutes.
The insects are also a threat to humans, as their sting is more dangerous than a honeybee’s.
