Texas Forms Murder Hornet Task Force

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the creation of a task force to watch the possible arrival of the Asian giant hornet (AGH). Also known as "murder hornets," the world's larget hornet has a venomous sting that can kill humans. So far, the only part of the United States that is known to have the invasive insect is the state of Washington, where it was discovered in 2019. The AGH has not been found in Texas – yet.


According to AgriLife Today, Gov. Abbott requested "a specialized task force led by Texas A&M AgriLife experts is spearheading an initiative to protect Texas citizens, agriculture and honey bees if the 'murder hornet,' or Asian giant hornet, arrives. The hornet, Vespa mandarinia, preys on bees and can decimate local honey bee populations." And...

The task force is planning several avenues of action. The team will provide science-based educational materials on the hornet for citizens and beekeepers. In addition, to guard against the hornet entering Texas, the task force will work on detection efforts for border and port-of-entry points. The team will also assist with mitigation efforts to protect Texas honey bee populations. Finally, the task force will prepare statewide identification efforts if necessary. 

And...

“While widespread surveillance for the hornets in Texas is premature, we do need strategies to prevent the hornets arriving here in cargo,” Ragsdale said. “Right now, what we need to know is whether the Asian giant hornets have successfully overwintered in British Columbia or in Washington state.”

Asian Giant Hornet Photo By: Justin / Flickr CC License

The 'murder hornet' is a native of Asia, primarily in the east in Japan and South Korea.  It was "discovered for the first time in North America in August [2019] in British Columbia, Canada located and eradicated in September."

The AGH is predatory, and its favorite prey is honey bees. Only 15 to 30 hornets can kill 30,000 to 50,000 honey bee workers in a few hours. Their goal: Take the bees' larval young to their own nest to eat them.

The frightening efficiency of the AGH attack on honey bees has many agriculturalists worried. Bees are very important pollinators, so many crops would be threatened if enough of them are wiped out by the AGH. Honey production, of course, could also be reduced.

Experts are saying that Americans who live in colder climates shouldn't worry about the so-called 'murder hornets' because they probably can't survive the winter.

Related:
Asian Giant Hornet; Texas A&M Agrilife Extension
Murder Hornets Invade North America, Europe; Chicago News Bench
New Pest Response Guidelines - Vespa mandarinia; USDA (pdf)