Just what we need in 2020 – murder hornets. Why not right?
COVID-19 is bad enough – now we have something new to worry about – murder hornets. For the first time ever, this scary insect has been spotted in the US. Not only are they terrifying to look at – they are over two-inches long, with an aggressive hornet on steroids vibe, they can decapitate a bee in mid-air.
Should we be scared?
They are the largest hornet species in the world and they come from Asia. And before we go into panic mode thinking swarms of murder hornets are here to kills us, they are here in the US for our honey bees. (No, not the all female gang from Charlestown – actual bees). Sure, when they sting you, it hurts like hell but they’re not here to sting us like a scary movie. (Remember Swarm?) So we don’t need to worry ourselves with that. We need to be concerned about our bees.
Okay, why?
According to the US Department of Agriculture, honey bees are pollinators and are responsible for “one in every three bites of food we take, and increase our nation’s crop values each year by more than $15 billion.” Honey bees have been in decline for over three decades in the United State. So with the threat of murder hornets on the horizon – it could effect our future food supply.
So now what?
Evidently, we need to stop the spread of murder hornets. They’ve been spotted in Washington state and scientists say we have to get rid of them before they reproduce and multiply or there could be long term effects.
Image via Getty
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
