Summary
The invasive northern giant hornet, nicknamed the “murder hornet,” has been officially declared eradicated in the US, five years after first being detected in Washington state.
The hornets, which posed significant threats to honeybees and native insects, were wiped out through public cooperation, trapping efforts, and innovative tracking by researchers.
First spotted in 2019, the hornets decimated bee hives and could deliver dangerous stings. Four nests were destroyed in Washington by 2021.
Officials remain vigilant, though no confirmed sightings have occurred since 2021, marking a rare success in invasive species control.
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You really should report this kind of thing. Don’t call the cops, they don’t even kind of care.
State specific reporting information: https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/us
It’s a very easy way to contribute to environmental protection as a citizen. You should definitely tell the authorities. I am not from the US but I guess you can write a Mail to your local environment agency, no need to call the police.
I would get a pic and send it into your closest, large academic institution, the relevant department head or professor, as well as your state department of agriculture. Tell them where. Tell them how many.
The academics can confirm species and are often the ones telling the government this, whatever this is, could be or become a problem.
“Write your legislator” is popular but “write your local academic institution” is not.