Northern giant hornet eradicated from the United States

Vespa mandarinia. (Photo: Reinier Blok/Wirestock Creators)

The northern giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia, has been eradicated from the United States, according to an announcement from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). The achievement represents the culmination of 5 years of dedicated effort by the APHIS, WSDA, researchers, and the community.¹

With a long stinger and toxic venom, the northern giant hornet posed a threat to pollinators and the ecosystems that depend on them, as this invasive species could eliminate a honey bee colony in a matter of hours.^1,2 However, this species does not typically attack humans unless provoked. Native to Asia, the northern giant hornet is the largest hornet in the world, with the size of a double-A battery—approximately 2 inches long.^2,3

The northern giant hornet was first spotted in the Vancouver Island region of Canada in August 2019.³ Later that same year, it garnered national attention after it was found close to Blaine, Washington.

During the eradication effort, the APHIS used a ground-based radio telemetry tracking system to locate northern giant hornet nests in heavy forests, generally hidden inside alder trees.² Four northern giant hornet nests were eliminated between 2020 and 2021 by the WSDA and its partners. The project called for a unique approach, specialized tools, and protective suits to guarantee the team’s safety in each eradication, according to the agency.¹

Photo courtesy of Karla Salp, Washington State Department of Agriculture.

The success in eradicating this species was a collective effort with community involvement: public reports of northern giant hornet sightings led to almost half of the confirmed hornet detections. According to the APHIS, local residents and citizen scientists played a vital role by reporting sightings, monitoring traps, and tracking wasp populations for signs of the hornet.¹

“This success demonstrates what’s possible when agencies and communities unite toward a common goal,” Mark Davidson, deputy administrator for APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine Program—the country’s first line of defense against the introduction and spread of invasive pests—said in a release by the agency.¹ “By tackling this threat head-on, we protected not only pollinators and crops but also the industries, communities, and ecosystems that depend on them.”

References

1. APHIS in action: Victory over the world’s largest hornet species. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/aphis-action-victory-over-worlds-largest-hornet-species
2. Plant protection today: PPQ invests in technology to keep hornet-hunting employees safe. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/plant-protection-today-ppq-invests-technology-keep-hornet-hunting
3. Northern giant hornet. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. October 17, 2024. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plantsplant-healthplant-pests-and-diseases/northern-giant-hornet