WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – Whatcom County’s murder hornets have been given a new, official title.
The Entomological Society of America announced on Monday, July 25th, that they have adopted the name “northern giant hornet” for the species.
Dr. Chris Looney, a researcher that has been working with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, proposed the new name in reference to the hornets’ native territory in northern Asia.
A similar species from Asia has also been renamed as the “southern giant hornet.”
That species has not been found in the U.S.
The new names should help reduce confusion between those two species.
The hornet has been referred to as “Asian giant hornet” or “murder hornet” since it was first found in North America.
The state Department of Agriculture said that they will be using the new term moving forward.
Northern giant hornets were first discovered in Whatcom County back in 2020.
Four of their nests have been eradicated since their initial discovery.
