Asian Giant Hornet Alert

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The B.C. Ministry of Agriculture is asking Lower Mainland residents near the Canada-U.S. border to be on the lookout for a terrifyingly large invading hornet this spring.

The Asian giant hornet, a honeybee-killing predator about twice as large as native B.C. hornets, was discovered for the first time in the province last August in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Its nest was located and destroyed. They were thought to have come from an ocean vessel.

According to a ministry news release, a single giant hornet then turned up in White Rock last November, and a pair showed up just across the border, near Blaine, Washington, the next month.

Residents along the international border, especially those living on 0 [Zero] Avenue, from Surrey to Aldergrove, will soon receive bulletins from the province's apiculturist containing information about and pictures of the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia). Special traps will also be placed in the area.

Because nearby wooded areas at the border are good habitat for the hornet, authorities think there might be an overwintering queen nearby that will emerge with the warmer weather to start a new nest.

Anyone spotting what they think is an Asian giant hornet is asked to report the sighting to the Invasive Species Council of BC at 1-888-933-3722; B.C. residents can also fill out a report online.

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by Martin Dunphy on March 21st, 2020 at 12:05 PM

https://www.straight.com/news/1374951/asian-giant-hornet-alert-lower-mainland-residents-asked-look-out-bee-killing-invader