What is known about the “killer bees” of the United States

Washington state agricultural officials and the federal government announced that the northern giant hornetpopularly known as “murder hornet”has been officially eradicated of the United States. This invasive insect, which represented a threat to the bees and other pollinatorshas not been sighted in the last three years, according to a statement issued by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).

Dr. Mark Davidson, deputy administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, called this achievement a milestone in the fight against invasive species. “This effort demonstrates what can be achieved when agencies and communities work together with a common objective,” he expressed to USA today.

The success of eradication is attributed to coordinated work between institutions and public support. Sven Spichiger, WSDA pest program director, highlighted the key role citizens played in the process. “Half of our confirmed detections came from reports made by the public. Without that collaboration, we would not be able to announce the eradication of the northern giant hornet today,” Spichiger told the outlet.

Surveillance and preventive measures

Although there have been no confirmed sightings of the giant hornet for three years, authorities remain in alert. Last October, it was reported a possible sighting in Kitsap County, but the species was not identified. Therefore, the activities of monitoring and preventive capture of these insects during 2025.

The northern giant hornet was first detected in Washington in December 2019. In October 2020, authorities managed to eliminate the first known nest in the country and later They destroyed three more nests in 2021. This insect is considered a significant threat due to its ability to destroy entire bee colonies in a matter of minutes, seriously affecting the ecosystem and pollination.

New concerns at the international level

Although the northern giant hornet has been eradicated in the United States, the presence of a similar species in Europe was reported for the first time last month. Spanish researchers confirmed in the scientific journal Ecology and Evolution the sighting of the southern giant wasp, an equally invasive species that represents Similar risks for bees and other insects.

Eradication of the northern giant hornet in the United States is an important victory, but monitoring and preventive measures remain essential to prevent future invasions that may compromise biodiversity and ecosystem health.