Dead “Murder Hornet” Found in Seattle

Scientists found a dead Asian giant hornet, the so-called murder hornet, north of Seattle at the end of June, The Associated Press reported.

Entomologists from state and federal departments said it was the first confirmed discovery this year. The 2-inch long insects pose a threat to honeybees and hornet species. The giant hornet is not aggressive to humans but repeated stings can kill in rare cases. Stings are also extremely painful.

The hornet was dead, and very dry, scientists shared. The male hornet did not follow a logical pathway to get to Marysville, north of Seattle. Entomologists believe it might be from a previous season and wasn’t discovered until now.

“The find is perplexing because it is too early for a male to emerge,” said Dr. Osama El-Lissy, deputy administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s quarantine program. El-Lissy said that state officials would also “survey the area to verify whether a population exists in Snohomish County.”

The specimen was submitted and will be reviewed for final confirmation by federal scientists.

Read more about bees in One Green Planet, check out these articles:

• 5 Easy Ways to Help the Bees
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• Why Bees Matter so Much to Humans
• How Bees Benefit Other Living Things

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