A Hornet That Decapitates Bees in Whole Hives Arrives in United States

Because 2020 needed to suck a little more, an Asian hornet that is known for decapitating whole hives of bees has arrived in the United States.

The Asian Giant Hornet is the world's largest hornet. It's native to Asia and parts of Russia. The "Murder Hornet" earned its name because well, it literally murders bees - wiping out whole beehives.

"A few hornets can destroy a hive in a matter of hours. The hornets enter a "slaughter phase" where they kill bees by decapitating them," according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

The hornets stingers are long enough to pierce a traditional bee suit, and their venom is way more toxic than that of a honeybee - and they can sting over and over.

YouTube personality Coyote Stevenson let himself get stung by one, and filmed it. The video gives you an idea of how big these hornets are - and how painful their sting is.

So far, the hornets have only been spotted in Washington State but the queens can fly miles a day, at up to 20 MPH. Experts are working hard to find the hornet colonies and wipe them out before the hornets can become established in Washington, and the United States.

If that happens, "this hornet will have negative impacts on the environment, economy, and public health of Washington State" - and likely agriculture anywhere else they become part of the ecosystem.