WSDA, USDA Announce Eradication of Northern Giant Hornet from U.S.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – After three years without confirmed detections, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have declared the northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) eradicated from Washington and the U.S. 

The eradication success was the result of a multiyear effort to find and eradicate the hornets, which began in 2019. It involved extensive collaboration between state, federal and international government agencies as well as significant support from community members and groups, especially in Whatcom County.

“We’re pleased to announce the eradication of the northern giant hornet in Washington state,” Derek Sandison, WSDA director, said. “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. I’d also like to acknowledge the federal, state, and local support that made this feat possible. This success is the result of our combined efforts.”

The northern giant hornet was first detected in North America in British Columbia, Canada in August 2019 and confirmed in Washington state in December 2019. Although the two detections were close in time and location, DNA evidence suggests there were two different introductions as specimens from each location appeared to originate from different countries.

Had the hornets become established in the country, they could have posed a significant threat to honey bees and other pollinators and native insects. Northern giant hornets are able to kill an entire honey bee hive in as little as 90 minutes. They also pose a threat to human health as their sting is more dangerous than that of a honey bee.

“We are proud of this landmark victory in the fight against invasive species,” said Dr. Mark Davidson Deputy Administrator at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. “The success of this effort demonstrates what’s possible when agencies and communities unite toward a common goal. USDA played a key role by providing critical funding, technology, personnel and research support, and scientific expertise that helped WSDA eradicate this pest. By tackling this threat head-on, we protected not only pollinators and crops, but also the industries, communities, and ecosystems that depend on them.”

“Without the public’s support for this effort, it is unlikely we would be announcing the eradication of northern giant hornet today,” Sven Spichiger, WSDA pest program manager, said. “All of our nest detections resulted directly or indirectly from public reports. And half of our confirmed detections came from the public. The people of Washington can be proud that we did this by working together.”

Source: WSDA