No Such Thing as a Murder Hornet: Asian Giant Hornet, an Invasive Species to Monitor

In 2019, an Asian giant hornet was spotted in Washington State, as well as in British Columbia, Canada. The invasive insect's siting, given its appetite for honeybees and its kill strategy (which includes decapitating their prey), set off regional intrigue and alarm. Because its arrival and establishment in Idaho is conceivable, particularly in northern Idaho, it's important to have solid information about the hornet's identification, ecology and management. Along with a discussion of these topics, this timely bulletin provides a handy illustrated guide of the newcomer insect, plus several look-alike species for comparison.