The invasive species known as the “murder hornet” has been successfully eradicated from the United States, announced by officials after a multiyear effort, following its first identification in Washington state five years ago.
The big picture: The joint effort to eradicate the species, which began in 2019, involved extensive collaboration between state, federal, and international government agencies, as well as substantial support from community members and groups.
- Public reports played a significant role in the detection of hornet nests, with half of all confirmed detections coming from public reports, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in addressing invasive species.
What they’re saying: “I’m incredibly proud of our team, which has dedicated years of hard work to safeguarding our state and the nation from this invasive threat to our native pollinators and agriculture,” said Washington Agriculture Director Derek Sandison in the statement.
Why it matters: Murder hornets could have posed a significant threat to honeybees with the ability to kill an entire hive in just 90 minutes.
