Watch for Asian giant hornets at your hummingbird feeders and while out
birding

Asian giant hornets - an invasive species recently discovered in Whatcom
County and nearby areas of British Columbia that attacks honeybees - have
been known to visit hummingbird feeders. If you see an Asian giant hornet
at a hummingbird feeder or elsewhere, please report it immediately to the
Washington State Department of Agriculture. You can check out their
Facebook post on this topic here:
https://www.facebook.com/WAStateDeptAg/photos/a.10151025620032906/10157907053892906/.
Asian giant hornets are really easy to recognize, as they truly are giant,
as large as your entire thumb! They are also hardy, one was reported at a
hummingbird feeder last December, so they could be emerging already.

They pose a serious threat to native and cultured bees, can seriously
injure or kill humans (really), and likely have other detrimental effects
to native species and ecosystems. Learn more about the threat posed by
Asian giant hornets and report sightings at agr.wa.gov/hornets. Birders
have a higher probability of encountering them, because they visit
hummingbird feeders and because we pay more attention to flying critters.
Every report is helpful, as the earlier they are detected, the greater the
likelihood of actually eradicating them, and keeping the Northwest free of
at least one pest! Thanks for your cooperation.

Bill Tweit
Olympia, WA
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