Murder hornets might have invaded the country, but they’re not going to mess with Texas. The governor, along with Texas A&M AgriLife, has launched a task force to prepare for the potential arrival of the pests. Here’s everything you need to know:
Asian giant hornets, also known as “murder hornets,” have recently been spotted in the U.S. for the first time ever. These two-inch long insects have been known to kill up to 50 people per year in Japan.
Wikipedia/Yasunori Koide
So far, the hornets have only invaded Washington state. We have a similar bug called the “cicada killer” wasp here in Texas, so don’t freak out if you see one of these guys in your backyard.
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Not only does the insect pose a threat to humans, but also the already declining honeybee population. Just a few hornets can completely destroy a hive within a matter of hours.
Flickr/Brad Smith
The hornet also has the potential to devastate agriculture, which is one of the most important industries here in Texas. With the food supply already under strain, this could have catastrophic repercussions.
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Governor Greg Abbott, along with Texas A&M, has launched a task force to help ensure the hornets don’t gain a foothold in Texas. Several different initiatives have been proposed to tackle the problem head-on and from all angles.
Flickr/Gage Skidmore
Training Customs and Border Protection staff to identify murder hornets is the first step to preventing their entry into the Lone Star State. Surveillance of incoming containers is being increased, and additional detection methods, such as scent-trained dogs, are being considered.
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The task force will also be assisting with mitigation efforts to protect Texas honeybee populations. Luckily, bees already have an impressive defense mechanism against the hornets. They engulf them in a massive ball and proceed to increase their body temperature until the predators are “cooked.”
Wikipedia/Takahashi
Visit the Texas A&M Agrilife page to learn more.
Wikipedia/Yasunori Koide
Wikipedia/Larcolt
Flickr/Brad Smith
Flickr/StateofIsrael
Flickr/Gage Skidmore
Flickr/Sean
Wikipedia/Takahashi
What are your thoughts on the murder hornet task force? Let us know, and check out our previous article for more creepy crawlers to keep an eye out for: These 9 Bugs Found In Texas Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine.
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