Screenshot of one of the first live sightings of the invasive Asian giant hornet in Nanaimo on Sept. 18, 2019. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Asian hornet watch

Nanaimo beekeeper optimistic predatory insect won’t survive on Vancouver Island

Mar 19, 2021 | 5:23 AM

NANAIMO —More coordination is in place to ensure honey-bee killing Asian giant hornets don’t feel at home in the pacific northwest.

A joint statement from government officials in B.C. And Washington State outlined how the two countries are collaborating to trap and destroy the intimidating invasive insect, which includes enhanced public awareness.

The project includes surveys in Nanaimo, where roughly 150 live Asian giant hornets were found by Nanaimo Beekeepers Club members in September 2019. The highly publicized discovery marked the first time the invasive species was found alive in North America.

The club’s John Holubeshen said homemade traps by their members and the community at large will be established again this year.

He said the highest likelihood of spotting Asian giant hornets is in the late summer or early fall period.

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The B.C. agriculture ministry said Vancouver Island would be declared free of the Asian giant hornets if they weren’t found on the island for as a second straight year in 2021.

“We had no confirmed sightings on the island last year. I’m going to be optimistic and predict we’re going to have no sightings as well,” Holubeshen told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Holubeshen said in 2019 there were several confirmed sightings of the insect in the week’s leading up to an in-ground nest found along a wooden trail south of the Robins Park ball diamond.

“People were finding these things when nobody was looking for them, now that many people are looking for them we haven’t found any. Now that doesn’t mean whatever mechanism brought them over in the first place still isn’t in play.”

A DNA sample of a hornet from the Nanaimo nest revealed the insects were from Japan.

Besides a confirmed presence of the intimidating insect in Naniamo, Asian giant hornets have also been found in the Fraser Valley, White Rock and several Washington State locations.

Holubeshen said it’s important people properly document an Asian giant hornet sighting if possible.

“Take a picture if you see one, nothing can be done without some sort of evidence, either a picture or a specimen.”

The agriculture ministry suggests orange juice or a brown sugar-based bait as lures for the insects.

Asian giant hornets are large in size and have noticeably large orange heads and black eyes. Worker hornets are approximately 3.5 cm in length and queens can be up to 4 to 5 cm in length with a wingspan of 4 to 7 cm.

According to the ministry of agriculture, Asian giant hornets are classified as a serious honey bee predator, known for hunting insects for food, but generally aren’t interested in humans, pets and livestock.

When their nest is disturbed they will attack with painful stings, which can be hazardous to people’s health.

Anybody who spots an Asian giant hornet can report their finding to the Invasive Species Council of B.C.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @ReporterHolmes