Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumScientists Destroyed a Nest of Murder Hornets. Here's What They Learned.
Asian giant hornets better known as murder hornets inspired menacing headlines throughout the summer amid warnings that the invasive insects could decimate American honeybee populations. Last month, after various sightings across the Pacific Northwest, officials in Washington state discovered and removed the first known murder hornet nest in the United States.
As officials continue to seek out other nests for destruction in hopes of eradicating the hornets from the country, entomologists are revealing what they have learned from the first nest removal.
It really seems like we got there in the nick of time, Sven-Erik Spichiger, managing entomologist at the Washington State Department of Agriculture, said at a news conference about the nests findings this week.
Heres what the scientists have discovered.
The nest could have held about 200 queens.
Late last month, officials in Blaine, Washington, removed the nest of aggressive hornets which were about to enter their slaughter phase before they could multiply and kill the areas honeybees. Had they not been removed, the insects could have laid waste to the pollinators vital to the regions raspberries, blueberries and other crops.
The hornet is not native to the United States and can be more commonly found in Asia, where it has been known to kill up to 50 people a year in Japan.
-more-
https://news.yahoo.com/scientists-destroyed-nest-murder-hornets-150632160.html
LSFL
(1,109 posts)Any other old farts remember the killer bee kerfuffle back in the 70s?
What's up with the click bait headers?
Get off my lawn goddammit.
KT2000
(20,571 posts)to home. Many people keep bees here and some have succumbed to colony collapse. My nut trees produced no nuts this year probably due to the lack of bees. These Asian Hornets can destroy a healthy hive in about an hour, by decapitating the bees. We do not need these hornets. but it looks like they are adept at procreating quickly.
It was mostly a reaction to the way the article was presented rather than a commentary on its content. We will adapt to or destroy these invaders.
The get off my lawn was my self awareness telling me I was sounding like the grumpy old neighbor that cut up my nerf football when it went into his yard. I was nine. Curse you Mr. Strunk.
KT2000
(20,571 posts)I know what you mean about grumpy guys. It happens to a lot of old guys - especially the ones that watch Fox all day. I quit doorbelling in my neighborhood because of Mr. Strunks. They answer the door already mad.
It's all good! Biden won!!!
chia
(2,244 posts)It's good to take a break from politics, even if it's for Murder Hornets.
Gothmog
(145,046 posts)I am glad they caught this colony early