Invasive ‘Murder Hornets’ Eradicated in US After 5 Years, Agriculture Officials Say

Northern giant hornets have not been detected for the past three years, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

A northern giant hornet is seen in this undated file photograph. Courtesy of Washington State Department of Agriculture

The northern giant hornet, dubbed the “murder hornet” for its aggressive nature and potentially deadly sting, has been eradicated from the United States five years after it was first identified in the country, officials announced on Dec. 18.

Formerly known as Asian giant hornets, the invasive species was first detected in North America in British Columbia, Canada, in August 2019. A few months later, the species, native to Asia, was confirmed in Washington state when a resident of Whatcom County reported a specimen in December 2019.