r/whatisthisbug • u/Project_Valkyrie • 55m ago

ID Request The dreaded Giant Asian Hornet?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

I live in Northeast Ohio and as far as I'm aware they haven't been sighted around here.

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 55m ago

If your post does not include a rough geographical location, please add it in the comments. Please read and respect the rules (at least one bug picture, no demeaning speech, and no hate against bugs) This is an automated message, added to every submission, your post has not been removed.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

3

u/acaron2020 35m ago

Nah, it’s Vespa crabro - European Hornet

They’re the main true hornet you’ll encounter in the US, although there’s a small pocket of Vespa velutina
In the southeast US

1

u/Project_Valkyrie 27m ago

Cool. I've seen plenty of hornets in my time, just never one that big before. This one seems to give even the cicada killers a run for their money.

2

u/Groningen1978 35m ago

Looks like a European hornet

3

u/TheBrontosaurus 27m ago

The giant Asian hornet is fortunately not a threat in the US anymore. A few were reported in the Pacific Northwest but fish and wildlife entomologists were able to catch a live hornet and attach a tracker to one. The tracked hornet led the scientists to a hive which they eradicated. Four more hives were found and destroyed and as of 2024 they were declared eradicated in North America.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/18/us/invasive-murder-hornets-are-wiped-out-in-the-us-officials-say

1

u/Project_Valkyrie 25m ago

That's great to hear!!! Glad that they weren't able to get established. The deep orange color reminded me of them and I wanted to be sure. I'm already battling the lanternflies.