[nerdfishgirl]

In further info on the hornet situation (their proper name is Vespa mandarinia btw)…

Please take your hysteria about these bugs and turn it towards spotted lanternflies, which ARE a threat to native ecosystems (honeybees aren’t even native, they’re also technically invasive) and ARE a threat to massive parts of the economy (just like this hornet, because the hornet kills honeybees). Also the spotted laternfly invasion is MUCH more established, and thus a much larger threat!

Info on laternflies here - note they are mostly a concern in the Northeast right now.

The reason the USDA (US Department of Agriculture - which is the agency responsible for dealing with this) is concerned is likely because these hornets (proper name Vespa mandarinia) ARE a threat to honeybees (specifically the european ones, the japanese honeybees will get together and cook these hornets to death by surrounding the hornet in a ball of hot vibrating bees). And Washington state is reliant on honeybee pollination for one of it’s biggest crops - apples grown in the middle of a desert using water pulled from the Columbia.

Right now there have only been a few individuals (no hives) found in far Northwestern Washington state - and BC. If you live there, you can help with detection efforts.

Easy to read info and link for reporting hornet sightings (in Washington state ONLY) here. Report sightings of hornets - or other invasive bugs, to your state ag department.

Full USDA report on the situation here (it’s not as easy a read, but more in depth and describes the control efforts likely to be taken).

I know it’s hard to believe, given how poorly the government has managed the current human disease situation, but animal and plant disease, along with various invasive species, are actually relatively well monitored and managed in the US.

A cotton pest was eliminated recently, likely reducing pesticide use.

The US has pushed a very nasty insect all the way out of the US and Central America and is preventing its reestablishment without pesticides.

There are instances when this fails, but considering the amount of goods and people moving into the US and the amount of general stupidity surrounding the movement of plants, plant products, and other goods when it comes to plant/animal disease and invasive species prevention, the USDA and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) do a fairly decent job at preventing plant and animal disease outbreaks and preventing establishment of invasive species.

BTW you can help in preventing things like “murder hornets” by:

-not transporting firewood long distances

-checking cars, campers and other stuff for egg masses before going somewhere new

-hosing off shoes, tires, and boats before going somewhere new - basically don’t transfer dirt or aquatic organisms to new areas

-not transporting plants or soil long distances (this applies to houseplants also if you keep them outside!!)

-learning to recognize native organisms and keeping informed about new invasive organisms

[ladyvean]

-learning to recognize native organisms and keeping informed about new invasive organisms