Pest profile

Northern Giant Hornet

Vespa mandarinia · Hymenoptera: Vespidae[7]

The northern giant hornet is the world's largest hornet. It was first found in the United States near Blaine, Washington, in December 2019, and WSDA and USDA have since declared it eradicated from Washington and the United States.[4][1]

Northern giant hornet resting on gravel, showing its large orange-yellow head, dark thorax and black-and-yellow striped abdomen
Northern giant hornet resting on gravel, showing its large orange-yellow head, dark thorax and black-and-yellow striped abdomen. (c) Lek Khauv, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Usually 1 1/2 to 2 inches long, much bigger than native yellowjackets.[2][5]
  • A large, entirely yellow-orange head with prominent dark eyes.[2][5][6]
  • A black thorax and a black and orange-yellow striped abdomen, with no teardrop shapes trailing from the stripes.[5][2][6]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
European hornetEstablished in the eastern U.S.; its thorax, top of head and cheeks are reddish brown, and its black abdominal bands trail teardrop shapes.[6]
Cicada killerA large, slender solitary wasp with a black abdomen marked with yellow splotches, reddish eyes and amber wings; it nests alone in soil burrows.[6]
YellowjacketsLess than an inch long, with yellow faces and a black area near the top of the head.[2]
Bald-faced hornetAbout an inch long and mostly black with white stripes and spots.[2]

Where it lives

In North America it was found only in northwestern Washington and British Columbia. It hasn't been confirmed anywhere else in the United States and was declared eradicated from the U.S. at the end of 2024.[4][1][6]

Biology and life cycle

It forms large colonies, usually nesting in the ground in its native range but also in tree cavities.[2][5]

All four nests found in Washington were in cavities of alder trees in Whatcom County, located and destroyed in 2020 and 2021.[5][4]

Adults hunt other insects, gather tree sap and raid other bee and wasp colonies; homeowners would be most likely to meet foragers from July to October.[5]

Damage and signs

  • In late summer and fall it attacks honey bee colonies, decapitating workers and feeding on the brood; a few invasive hornets can destroy a hive in hours.[5][1]
  • A hive attack may leave piles of dead, mostly headless bees outside the hive.[2]

Health risk

Not typically aggressive, but it stings when handled or defending its nest. Its longer stinger can pierce beekeeping suits, and a sting can deliver more venom. Seek medical attention immediately after multiple stings.[3][5]

Control

When to call a professional

Do not try to remove or destroy a suspected nest yourself; this hornet aggressively defends its nest. Report it so state officials can respond.[5]

In Washington, report suspected invasive hornets to WSDA with a photo if possible; elsewhere, contact your state agriculture department or apiary inspector.[1]

Current U.S. status

WSDA verified the first two U.S. reports near Blaine in December 2019, the same fall Canada found the hornet at two sites in British Columbia.[4]

By the end of 2021, WSDA had located and eradicated four nests in Whatcom County. No hornets were detected from 2022 through 2024.[4][1]

After three years without confirmed detections, WSDA and USDA declared the northern giant hornet eradicated from Washington and the United States.[1]

WSDA still asks the public to report suspected invasive hornets, and is now also watching for the yellow-legged hornet, a different invasive species.[1]

Common questions

Are murder hornets still in the United States?
According to WSDA and USDA, no. The northern giant hornet was declared eradicated from the United States at the end of 2024.[1][4]
I saw a giant hornet in the eastern U.S. What is it likely to be?
Most likely a European hornet or cicada killer, the large wasps most often mistaken for the northern giant hornet.[6]
What should I include in a hornet report?
A photo if you can, the location and date, the insect's size and colors, what it was doing, and which direction it flew.[1]

Sources

  1. Washington State Department of Agriculture, “Invasive Hornets.” agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. Washington State Department of Agriculture, “Invasive Hornets: Identification.” agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets/identification (accessed 2026-10-06)
  3. Washington State Department of Agriculture, “Invasive Hornets: Human Health.” agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets/human-health (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Washington State Department of Agriculture, “Invasive Hornets FAQ: Northern Giant Hornet.” agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets/faq-s/northern-giant-hornet (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook (Oregon State, Washington State and University of Idaho Extension), “Northern Giant Hornet (2019), Emerging Insect Pests in the Pacific Northwest.” pnwhandbooks.org/insect/emerging-insect-pests/ongoing-eradication-programs/northern-giant-hornet-2019 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Ohio State University Extension (Ohioline), “European Hornets and Look-Alikes (ENT-0102, February 2025).” ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-0102 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. iNaturalist, “Vespa mandarinia taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/322284 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-06. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.