The "murder hornet" has arrived in the U.S. and it's just as disturbing as it sounds. But a University of Maryland entomologist says there's no reason for the D.C. region to be worried — yet.
The “murder hornet” that has arrived in the U.S. and grabbed headlines is certainly a threatening creature, but it could be decades before the insect makes it to the D.C. region, according to an expert at the University of Maryland.
The Asian giant hornet, coming in at about 2 inches long with a quarter-inch stinger that can penetrate most beekeeping suits, is just as disturbing as it sounds.
“The venom in its sting is a witch’s brew of toxins,” said entomologist Mike Raupp.
However, the Vespa mandarinia, as it also is known, has only been detected in Washington state.
WTOP received a photo from a listener of a hornet resembling the invasive species.
Raupp said the photo is of a European ground hornet, a very docile insect.
Though fierce looking, the above is a European ground hornet, a more docile insect than the “murder hornet.” (Courtesy Mary and Nelly Marchetti)
Raupp explained that it could be decades before the “murder hornet” finds its way to the National Capital Region, but because its main mission is to decimate bee nests by ripping off their heads, beekeepers should know how serious of a threat it could eventually become.
“This particular hornet specializes in attacking and destroying social bees, which includes things like our honeybees,” Raupp said.
In Japan, where the murder hornet is indigenous, it kills about 30 people per year.
In the U.S., there are 40 to 90 deaths a year caused by hornets, bees and wasps.
So while a 2-inch flying insect with a wicked sting may sound intimidating, Raupp said it is not a serious concern yet.
And he said you won’t see one while out and about.
“This is not one more worry or one more threat. You should go out and enjoy the outdoors on a sunny day while social distancing,” Raupp said.
An Asian giant hornet from Japan is displayed on a pin at the Washington state Department of Agriculture, Monday, May 4, 2020, in Olympia, Wash. The insect, which has been found in Washington state, is the world’s largest hornet, and has been dubbed the “Murder Hornet” in reference to its appetite for honey bees, and a sting that can be fatal to some people.
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
A dead Asian giant hornet sent from Japan is held on a pin by Sven Spichiger, an entomologist with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Monday, May 4, 2020, in Olympia, Wash. The insect, which has been found in Washington state, is the world’s largest hornet, and has been dubbed the “Murder Hornet” in reference to its appetite for honey bees, and a sting that can be fatal to some people.
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
An Asian giant hornet from Japan is held on a pin by Sven Spichiger, an entomologist with the Washington state Dept. of Agriculture, Monday, May 4, 2020, in Olympia, Wash. The insect, which has been found in Washington state, is the world’s largest hornet, and has been dubbed the “Murder Hornet” in reference to its appetite for honey bees, and a sting that can be fatal to some people.
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
In this Dec. 30, 2019, photo provided by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the stinger of a dead Asian giant hornet is photographed in a lab in Olympia, Wash. The world’s largest hornet, a 2-inch long killer with an appetite for honey bees, has been found in Washington state and entomologists are making plans to wipe it out. Dubbed the “Murder Hornet” by some, the Asian giant hornet has a sting that could be fatal to some humans. It is just now starting to emerge from hibernation.
(Karla Salp/Washington State Department of Agriculture via AP)
Karla Salp/Washington State Department of Agriculture via AP
In this Dec. 30, 2019, photo provided by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, a dead Asian giant hornet is photographed in a lab in Olympia, Wash. The world’s largest hornet, a 2-inch long killer with an appetite for honey bees, has been found in Washington state and entomologists are making plans to wipe it out. Dubbed the “Murder Hornet” by some, the Asian giant hornet has a sting that could be fatal to some humans. It is just now starting to emerge from hibernation.
(Quinlyn Baine/Washington State Department of Agriculture via AP)
Quinlyn Baine/Washington State Department of Agriculture via AP
