[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

I’ve been following the Asian Giant Hornet story for over five years. UNTIL NOW NOBODY HAS EVER CALLED THEM MURDER HORNETS. It’s driving me so crazy I had to get up off the couch after emitting a string of swears that would make a sailor from the Bronx blush and stop watching tv. ************************************************************************ From the FB page, Relax, I'm an Entomologist:

In response to the New York Times article, I present the short and skinny: No, "killer hornets" are not invading the United States. In autumn 2019, a Vespa mandarinia worker was found south of the Canadian border after a nest was found in British Columbia. People only in Washington near the Canadian border should be aware of this non-native to make sure it does not establish.

The "killer" part of this hornet applies to honey bees, another non-native insect in North America. Like all hornets and yellow jackets, V. mandarinia has no interest in humans. They hunt insects and may scavenge for other meats to feed their babies. They will defend their nests and food against big lumbering mammals. Like all wild animals, don't bother them and they won't bother you. V. mandarinia goes after honey bee larvae in an impressively violent hunting strategy, hence "killer."

[Snowybear]

Agreed. Been reading about them for ages. And I can’t stress this enough, why is this story appearing now when this happened in September of 2019?

-SB

[Pajamajan]

Interesting post about nobody calling the Asian Giant Hornets "Murder Hornets" until now.

Next they'll be calling them "Assault Hornets".

OTOH after hearing about these, my mother asked if this means we will now be required to wear Bee Keeping Suits in the grocery store 😂.