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Context:  

The insect was first spotted in Washington state near the Canadian border in 2019. Efforts quickly began to track down and get rid of the invasive species that posed a threat to bees and agriculture.

About Murder hornets (Vespa mandarinia)

• It is the largest hornet in the world, measuring up to 2 inches in length.
• Habitat: They are known to inhabit lower altitude forests and avoid large plains and high mountain areas.
• Distribution: Native to temperate regions in China, Korea, Japan, and India.
• It is an invasive species that poses a significant threat to insects and native pollinators.
• They can pierce most beekeeper suits and deliver almost seven times more venom than a honey bee. Additionally, they can stab multiple times.
• They feed mainly on native insects: butterflies, moths, dragonflies, bees, wasps, etc.

Why are they called Murder Hornets?

This invasive species was first reported in Washington State (USA) in 2019 and immediate action was taken to remove it as it poses a threat to bees and agriculture.

• Eastern bees from Asia can defend themselves against northern giant hornets through co-evolution. If a worker hornet enters its hive, she will surround it until a ball of bees is in the center, at which point the bees buzz and flap their wings to generate enough heat to kill the hornet.
• However, honeybees in the US have no such defenses against northern giant hornets. It can kill an entire hive of bees in just 90 minutes.

They were therefore called the "Killer Hornets" because it raised concerns in North America that the destruction of honey bee colonies could negatively affect agriculture and the American economy.

Threat to Humans

• They usually don't attack people unless they feel threatened.
  • • Long stingers can pierce protective clothing, including beekeeping suits.
    • They deliver venom that is more toxic than that of other species of bees and wasps.
    • They don't lose their stingers and can sting repeatedly.
• Stings can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction in humans.
  • • Even if a person is not allergic, the sting is extremely painful and can be crippling or fatal if a swarm attacks.
    • They first came into the limelight in 2013 when they killed at least 42 people and seriously injured 1,675 in China.
    • About 30 to 50 people die each year in Japan from northern giant hornet stings, usually due to allergic reactions.

Source:

Indian Express