PULLMAN, Wash. — Scientists say if the Asian giant hornet gains a foothold in Washington, its habitat could spread down the west coast, and that could be bad for crops.
Researchers at Washington State University found that the hornet, popularly dubbed the “murder hornet,” may thrive in places with warm summers, mild winters, and high rainfall, but they cannot survive extreme heat above 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
That means they can’t survive in much of the interior U.S., but suitable habitat does exist along the coasts, including in eastern Washington and the California Central Valley, both of which have major fruit and nut crops that rely on honeybee pollination.
The Asian giant hornet is a major threat to honeybees.
Seven of the invasive hornets have been found in Washington so far, all in Whatcom County.