Giant Asian Hornet now invading US.

[The15thMember]

We have had the Japanese version since the late 80s. They will grab a forager now and then from the front of the hive, but they are not in sufficient numbers to present a problem to bees or people. They are probably 4x the weight of a normal hornet. The sting is quite unpleasant. Imagine holding 4-5 honeybees to the same spot. My leg heated up and swelled for an hour and the initial pain of the sting was probably 7-8 minutes as if it was still stinging. It left a dent below my skin and eventually a small scar.

However, I stand by what I said. They are no threat to us, or 99.999% of our bees. Just another story to stoke fear and sell advertising. imo

Are you sure you aren't seeing European hornets?  They are essentially the same size, just a different color.   
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[Nock]

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I know were talking about miser hornets but check this Queen European hornet out. She had started a nest in one my swarm boxes. I missed her this morning so I left it. Knew she would be back. Got her this evening.  She had 4 eggs laid.

[JojoBeeBoy]

Very well could be European. It's one of those things where we were told they were Japanese 30 years ago and it stuck.

[Ben Framed]

We have had the Japanese version since the late 80s. They will grab a forager now and then from the front of the hive, but they are not in sufficient numbers to present a problem to bees or people. They are probably 4x the weight of a normal hornet. The sting is quite unpleasant. Imagine holding 4-5 honeybees to the same spot. My leg heated up and swelled for an hour and the initial pain of the sting was probably 7-8 minutes as if it was still stinging. It left a dent below my skin and eventually a small scar.

However, I stand by what I said. They are no threat to us, or 99.999% of our bees. Just another story to stoke fear and sell advertising. imo

Are you sure you aren't seeing European hornets?  They are essentially the same size, just a different color.   
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I confess, I am confused on the two species. This is a picture oF the European Hornet?   Will the European Hornet kill bees the same as the Japanese Hornet as they are the same size, unless the different species prefer a different diet?  HELP MEMBER. lol

[The15thMember]

I confess, I am confused on the two species. This is a picture oF the European Hornet?   Will the European Hornet kill bees the same as the Japanese Hornet as they are the same size, unless the different species prefer a different diet?  HELP MEMBER. lol

  The picture I posted and the picture Nock posted (impressive, by the way) are both the European hornets.  Notice that the European hornets have a dark head, whereas the Asian Giant hornet has a yellow head.  European hornets were introduced to the US sometime in the 1800s, and are native to Europe, as their name suggests.  They will catch and eat honey bees, and can often be found hovering around hives trying to catch a meal, but unlike the Asian Giant Hornets, they will not invade a strong hive en masse.  The Asian Giant hornets' ability to do this is what makes them so dangerous to a European honey bee colony.   

[Nock]

Yeah I?ve seen the European around here since I was a kid. I do see them around my hives as well. As member said they will eat bees.

[Ben Framed]

Yeah I?ve seen the European around here since I was a kid. I do see them around my hives as well. As member said they will eat bees.

The picture y?all posted of this hornet looks like it would be an awesome terror. 

[JojoBeeBoy]

Here is a video I posted on IG about a week ago. If this is European, then that is what we have in TN. And while their sting is quite unpleasant, I still think the media hype, fear and high blood pressure is much worse than the hornet will ever be, to us or bees.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQLs3slhIm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[The15thMember]

Here is a video I posted on IG about a week ago. If this is European, then that is what we have in TN. And while their sting is quite unpleasant, I still think the media hype, fear and high blood pressure is much worse than the hornet will ever be, to us or bees.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQLs3slhIm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Yes, that is a European hornet.  And I totally agree with you.  It's shameful, especially in these uncertain times, how the media is willing to make money off of people's fear.  Have you seen some of the tabloid headlines about the so-called "Murder Hornets" lately?  Truly sickening.     

[JojoBeeBoy]

Yep. Went to work recently and two people asked me about them. They were concerned about my bees. I think putting a few billion cameras and microphones (mobile phones) in the hands of 2-3 billion people and connecting them all has had a negative affect on news being reported responsibly. If you report the truth, you have 1000s of other stories/sources vying for people's attention. If you make up some ridiculous headline like "murder hornets" then you get your 15 minutes of fame. This is fundamentally flawed.

Also, I edited my post with correction to European. Thanks

[CapnChkn]

Yes JoJo, I used to live in Murfreesboro, and the photos I have of a queen European Hornet that made a nest in my swarm trap is from there.  Nope, there are no established colonies of Giant Asian Hornets in the Western Hemisphere.

Asian Hornets (Which are not the same as Giant Asian Hornets) are established in Western Europe, and creating havoc over there, and the German Yellowjacket has invaded the Northeastern USA, and will hunt honeybee larvae.  The native Yellowjackets do not hunt honeybees.

[The15thMember]

Anyone else seen the latest fear monger headline regarding this topic, courtesy of the Seattle Times: "'Murder hornets" invading US are about to enter "slaughter phase'".  So many yellow and black striped insects will pay the price for this.   
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/murder-hornets-invading-u-s-are-about-to-enter-slaughter-phase/

[JurassicApiary]

The media will sensationalize anything and everything to improve viewership and subscribers today...it's pathetic....

[Ben Framed]

Maybe folks will remember the phrase  (Track it don?t wack it) and things will turn out ok? I am asking; If they have the technology of a tracking device capable of tracking this creature, shouldn?t they have a sound method of attachment of this device?  🤷🏻‍♂️

[JurassicApiary]

Welp, it's official...


"Washington state bug hunters find first ever Asian giant 'murder hornets' nest in US"

They caught a few in traps and placed tracking devices on them to aid in locating the nest...in Washington.


https://www.foxnews.com/science/washington-state-bug-hunters-find-first-ever-asian-giant-murder-hornets-nest-in-us

[Ben Framed]

Welp, it's official...


"Washington state bug hunters find first ever Asian giant 'murder hornets' nest in US"

They caught a few in traps and placed tracking devices on them to aid in locating the nest...in Washington.


https://www.foxnews.com/science/washington-state-bug-hunters-find-first-ever-asian-giant-murder-hornets-nest-in-us

Thanks for posting this.....

[JurassicApiary]

The nest has been removed.

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2020/10/7-photos-show-how-researchers-vacuumed-out-murder-hornet-nest-in-washington-state-what-they-found.html?fbclid=IwAR0U8ZMdFpkBnTsXEcjwVsNNpshGUO9_xyLavuRMRTMJNrHWYGN9pvFiQzA

[Ben Framed]

The nest has been removed.

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2020/10/7-photos-show-how-researchers-vacuumed-out-murder-hornet-nest-in-washington-state-what-they-found.html?fbclid=IwAR0U8ZMdFpkBnTsXEcjwVsNNpshGUO9_xyLavuRMRTMJNrHWYGN9pvFiQzA

Wow! There were many hornets in that canister! I hope that was the only nest?

[van from Arkansas]

Here is a stinger to avoid.  European hornet I caught in my apiary.  The honey bee is for size comparison.

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[van from Arkansas]

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What a face.