So, these aren't 'birds', although they fly and they're larger than the usual yellow jackets we're used to seeing during the summer around the State. But, they are darned near as big as some of our birds, and have the potential to wreak havoc among our native species - and I imagine getting stung by something that size has just *got* to hurt!

WSDA reported: " On Dec. 8, a resident in Blaine near the Canadian border reported an unusually large hornet they found on their property. Two days later, WSDA visited the site, collected the specimen, which was dead, and confirmed its identity a short time later. The resident also reported seeing a live giant hornet at a humming bird feeder before it retreated into a nearby forest."

I believe that we Birders owe it to our Birds and to our fellow citizens to keep an eye out for this invasive bee this year, and report any sightings to the appropriate agencies (Wash. Dept. of Agriculture in our State):
https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets
https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2019/12/pest-alert-asian-giant-hornet.html

In British Columbia, report this Nasty One to The Invasive Species Council of B.C.:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/animal-and-crops/plant-health/pest_alert_asian_hornet.pdf

Best,
Jon. A
OlyWA
https://jonsperegrination.blogspot.com/ https://jonsperegrination.blogspot.com/


From: Pendergrass, Kathy - NRCS, Portland, OR
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2020 9:56 AM
Subject: FW: National Invasive Species Information Center - What's New

Fyi…



Pest Alert: Asian Giant Hornet https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http:%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F~r%2Fnisic%2F~3%2F4ZyrKNq2YVw%2Fpest_alert_asian_hornet.pdf%3Futm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Demail&data=02%7C01%7C%7C38fee672ea7c4d42ba2408d7b17736c4%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637172997889483825&sdata=ap5s7JWjT%2FEITzAH3T3nOLUGagh5YstTljYxLTs16%2F0%3D&reserved=0

Discovered in British Columbia
Three Asian Hornets (Vespa mandarinia) were found in the Nanaimo area on Vancouver Island in mid-August. The identification has been confirmed by Canadian and international experts. This is the first time this insect has been found in British Columbia. [They eat honeybees and give a vicious sting.]

Pest Alert: Asian Giant Hornet https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http:%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F~r%2Fnisic%2F~3%2F95rA5-cFYXA%2Fpest-alert-asian-giant-hornet.html%3Futm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Demail&data=02%7C01%7C%7C38fee672ea7c4d42ba2408d7b17736c4%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637172997889483825&sdata=NrqwIXSmyp1oLTtkikWUq1u%2BpHiDgzwKIbzxwXuswKc%3D&reserved=0
Discovered in Washington State
Asian giant hornet is the world's largest species of hornet. In December 2019, WSDA received and verified four reports of Asian giant hornet near Blaine and Bellingham. These are the first-ever sighting in the U.S. Canada had also discovered Asian giant hornet in two locations in British Columbia in the fall of 2019. If it becomes established, this hornet will have serious negative impacts on the environment, economy, and public health of Washington State. If you think you may have spotted an Asian giant hornet, report it using the Hornet Watch Report Form https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.arcgis.com%2Fapps%2FGeoForm%2Findex.html%3Fappid%3De3720c303c414210967920b07bad13f5&data=02%7C01%7C%7C38fee672ea7c4d42ba2408d7b17736c4%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637172997889493783&sdata=WFKVHm0nrpdgN9Aiu9jtiq0HrbfWzrAZxurcxmNRCvs%3D&reserved=0 .
Also see: Asian Giant Hornet https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fagr.wa.gov%2Fdepartments%2Finsects-pests-and-weeds%2Finsects%2Fhornets&data=02%7C01%7C%7C38fee672ea7c4d42ba2408d7b17736c4%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637172997889493783&sdata=8TITUfm2s5mSkhIY82vgIk5Exz%2BB4CfLU0Pnv6EtQZQ%3D&reserved=0



Thanks,

Kathy Pendergrass

USDA-NRCS

Oregon Plant Material Specialist



"Without plants, there is no life. The functioning of the planet, and our survival, depends upon plants."

Global Strategy for Plant Conservation https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbd.int%2Fgspc%2Fdefault.shtml&data=02%7C01%7C%7C38fee672ea7c4d42ba2408d7b17736c4%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637172997889503737&sdata=n4PSEEv%2FBEA2CESDTLgZ6U8qDfNmZPSeqIzctQQhCUs%3D&reserved=0

Convention on Biological Diversit


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