The discovery of around 150 live Asian Giant Hornets in the Robins Park area of Nanaimo caused a buzz throughout the community and abroad. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Busy Bees

Top Stories of 2019: Invasive giant hornets arrive in Nanaimo

Dec 17, 2019 | 4:18 AM

NANAIMO — Intimidating and massive invasive Giant Asian Hornets building nests in Nanaimo caused a buzz throughout the community and province.

Three of the largest hornets in the world were discovered in the Harbour City in mid-August and raised concerns about future repercussions.

About a month later on the afternoon of Sept. 18 an in-ground nest was found, which was believed to be linked to the original August sighting.

NanaimoNewsNOW was on scene when live Asian Giant Hornets were spotted for the first time in the provinces history.

Half a dozen of the intimidating hornets were found and the nest on a well-used wooded walking trail on Park Ave. between Sixth and Seventh St. was destroyed.

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They were clearly agitated, hovering low by their former home and then zipping up and down the trail, which hugs the Cat Stream.

“You’re lucky, you’re witnessing history,” provincial apiculturist Paul van Westendrop said while scanning the scene in amazement.

The insects can pose health risks to humans, but health officials said the more pressing risk is to our honey bee population.

Officials with the provincial agriculture ministry informed NanaimoNewsNOW initial beliefs a second Giant Asian Hornet’s nest existed in Nanaimo didn’t materialize.

The initial presence of Giant Asian Hornets vastly increases the chances the intimidating insects will return to the mid island next spring and summer and potentially flourish on the west coast.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes