What Is a Murder Hornet?
"Murder hornet" is a misleading nickname for the world’s largest species of hornet, the Asian giant hornet. As the name suggests, they originate in Asia, but they've since been found in Washington State.
What Does a Murder Hornet Look Like?
It’s unusually large for a hornet — up to 2 inches long. That's five times bigger than a honeybee.
It has a large, solid orange or yellow head with black, teardrop-shaped eyes. The middle (the thorax) is dark; in adults, it tapers at the waist to meet the bottom section, known as the abdomen.
The abdomen is marked with alternating bands of orange or yellow with bands of black or brown.
Some other bugs look similar, but most are much smaller than the murder hornet. You can distinguish larger lookalikes such as the western cicada killer and the eastern cicada killer by their smaller heads, lighter-colored thoraxes, and round eyes. The bands on their abdomens also look different.
Where Do Murder Hornets Live?
Murder hornets usually live in Japan, South Korea, China, and other East Asian countries. Scientists first confirmed their presence in the U.S. near Blaine, WA, in December 2019. Sightings continued there at least through 2021 and stopped in 2022.
Why Are Murder Hornets Dangerous?
The main risk is to the bee population, which supports many of our food crops through pollination. This is especially true of "social" types of bees that live in hives and make honey. Asian hornets disrupt pollination by hunting bees and other insects that visit flowers.
The hornets attack in late summer and early fall when worker hornets need to provide food for developing young. They attack the beehive, kill the adult bees, leave their bodies at the bottom of the hive, and take developing bees, in the form of larvae and pupae, back to their nests for food. Researchers have also observed Asian hornets around flower patches, which drives away honeybees, bumblebees, and other pollinators. This lowers the amount of pollen transferred between flowers, which is essential for plant reproduction.
Do Murder Hornets Sting?
Murder hornets aren't usually aggressive to humans. But they will sting to protect their nest or to keep you away from a beehive they've invaded. If that happens, their larger size can make their stings worse than those from other insects. There are several reasons for this:
- The stinger is longer than that of other wasps.
- A sting can deliver a lot more venom and can damage tissue.
- It may hurt worse than other stings.
Like other wasps and hornets, Asian giant hornets can sting several times. Though it’s rare for a group of hornets to attack a human, it’s not unheard of. And it can be serious if it does happen.
Beekeeper's clothing often can’t protect against the stings. The murder hornet's stinger is so long that it can penetrate even protective garments.
People allergic to bee or wasp stings should be especially careful around Asian giant hornets.
What to Do if You Get Stung by a Murder Hornet
- Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water.
- Put ice on the sting to slow the spread of venom.
- Get to a doctor quickly if you have multiple stings or an allergic reaction.
- Consider an antihistamine pill or cream to reduce itching and swelling.
Call 911 if a person who has been stung has any of these:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Trouble swallowing or tightness in the throat
- A blue color to the skin
- Swelling on the face or in the mouth
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
You probably don’t have much to worry about. Few confirmed sightings of murder hornets have happened in the U.S., and all have been limited to Washington State.
Still, it’s best to avoid them if you see them. If you do run into one, move away slowly and calmly. Swatting at it might lead it to sting you.
If a hornet or hornets get into your car, stop the vehicle as slowly and calmly as possible. Open all the windows, and get out of the car if you’re in a safe enough place.
To make you less likely to attract them in the first place:
- Avoid perfume and cologne as well as grooming products with lots of fragrance.
- Cover food and drink when you’re outside.
- Keep your living areas clean of garbage, food, dog droppings, and fruit fallen from trees or your garden.
- Use "wasp guards" to keep wasps out of hummingbird feeders.
Reporting a Murder Hornet Sighting
If you spot a murder hornet or signs of a hive attack, it's important to report it. In Washington State, email [email protected] or call 1-800-443-6684. When you report, try to include:
- Your name and contact details
- Location and date of the sighting or attack
- A photo of the hornet or damage (needed for confirmation)
- If there's no photo, describe the insect’s size, head and body color, and behavior
- Description of hive loss or damage if no photo is available
- Direction the hornet(s) flew away
If you’re outside Washington State, report a murder hornet sighting to your local apiary inspector.
Takeaways
The "murder hornet," or Asian giant hornet, is the largest hornet species, native to Asia but spotted in Washington State. Despite their nickname, they rarely harm humans. They mainly focus on honeybees, which they attack to feed their young. You can spot a murder hornet by its large size (up to 2 inches) and bold orange-yellow markings. These hornets pose a risk to bee populations critical for pollination.
Although they’re not usually aggressive to people, they will sting if threatened, and their longer stinger and potent venom can be more painful than other wasp stings. If stung, wash the area, apply ice, and get medical help for severe reactions. To avoid attracting these hornets, avoid fragrant products and clean outdoor areas. Although sightings are rare outside Washington, report any sightings to local authorities.
