Asian giant hornet spotted just north of the border in British Columbia
Nov 3, 2021, 8:35 AM
An Asian Giant Hornet in a beetle trap. (Photo courtesy of WSDAgov/Twitter)
(Photo courtesy of WSDAgov/Twitter)
Another Asian giant hornet has been spotted, but this time it was across the border in British Columbia.
State vacuums over 100 Asian giant hornets out of nest in Whatcom County
The Washington State Department of Agriculture says the hornet was caught in a Japanese beetle trap just north of the border, though located well within flying distance to the United States. Scientists with the WSDA say the location was close to nests eradicated in Blaine, Washington, this summer.
British Columbia authorities recently found an #AsianGiantHornet in a Japanese beetle trap not far from where nests were eradicated in Washington. The location was well within the flight distance from the US nests. (1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/G5v5aXS6Ey
— Washington State Department of Agriculture (@WSDAgov) November 2, 2021
We will be working with BC and US federal authorities to attempt to obtain and analyze DNA from the specimen in an attempt to see if the specimen was indeed from a US nest. (2 of 2)
— Washington State Department of Agriculture (@WSDAgov) November 2, 2021
British Columbia has had its own problems with Asian giant hornets in the past. Now, WSDA entomologists will work with Canadian and U.S. federal authorities to try to analyze the hornet’s DNA and hopefully determine where it came from. If it’s found that the hornet did come from the United States, it could indicate that there is another nest out there.
After early challenges, state eradicates third Asian giant hornet nest
Washington eradicated three nests in Whatcom County earlier this year.
KIRO Radio reporter Nicole Jennings contributed to this report.
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