OLYMPIA, Wash. – We could be calling a species of invasive hornet found in Whatcom County by another name when they become active again this summer.
An entomologist with the Washington Department of Agriculture says it may be time to reconsider the name “Asian giant hornet.”
Dr. Chris Looney tells Crosscut.com that he’s had concerns about that name since the invasive species gained attention just as the pandemic took hold in 2020.
Anti-Asian incidents and xenophobia have increased in the U.S. and Looney and others worry the link to a species also known as “murder hornets” is contributing to the problem.
Separate from his work with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Looney intends to submit an application for a name change to the Entomological Society of America.
That group has just ok’d a name change for another invasive species.
What was known before as the racially charged “gypsy” moth is now the “spongy” moth.