Officials say the ominously-named “murder hornet” has been eradicated in the U.S. Five years after the world’s largest hornet species made its first appearance in Washington state near the Canadian border, the U.S. and Washington Departments of Agriculture announced Wednesday, Dec. 18, that they have officially stamped out the invasive breed.
The “murder hornets”—otherwise known by their official name, northern giant hornets—get the moniker from their powerful stings, which can threaten humans, and their ability to quickly destroy entire hives of honey bees.
Officials worried about their potential to destroy honeybee populations, a key part of many plant and animal ecosystems. However, the officials said they had not spotted the hornets anywhere since 2021, prompting the recent declaration.
Residents helped prevent their spread by reporting sightings and placing traps on their properties.
One effort involved finding a hornet and tying a radio tag around it with dental floss. That allowed officials to find a hive of murder hornets and destroy it just as its queens began to emerge.
Washington state officials say they will continue to place traps in the area next year as a precaution.
