Asian Giant Hornet with WSDA's Sven-Erik Spichiger (S2,E23)

The world's largest hornet, The Asian Giant Hornet was discovered in the State of Washington in the fall of 2019. Also known as the Japanese Hornet, the Yak-Killer Hornet or the Giant Sparrow Bee, this ground nesting giant is as big as your thumb, and just loves eating honey bees. Honey bee larvae that is. It just kills all the honey bee adults in a hive to get to the larvae, leaving behind devastation beyond belief.

Control is stopping the spread of queens in the fall, which means finding nests in the summer. Listen in as Sven-Erik Spichiger, the Washington State Entomologist, and North America's leading hornet hunter and expert fills us in on all the details. What to look for, when to look, how to trap them and more. Hope that getting rid of this pest happens in Washington this season, but be ready for them if not.

Websites and Linked mentioned in this episode –

• WSDA Asian Giant Hornet Website: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets
• USDA Asian Giant Hornet Fact Sheet: https://cms.agr.wa.gov/WSDAKentico/Documents/PP/PestProgram/Vespa_mandarinia_NPRG_10Feb2020-(002).pdf
• Washington State University Extension AGH Site: https://extension.wsu.edu/wam/asian-giant-hornet-found-locally-what-we-know/
• The Hive Butler: https://www.thehivebutler.com

*** Newly Added Links ***

• How to Identify Different Wasp Species: https://entomologytoday.org/2020/05/11/big-beautiful-confusing-deciphering-true-hornets-vespa/

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Podcast music: Young Presidents, "Be Strong"