ASIAN GIANT HORNETS (Vespa mandarinia)
You can also find posts and links to photos about Asian giant hornets on EPP’s Facebook page (click HERE). NCSU’s Plant Disease and Insect Clinic has a post with great photos but please note that each species can vary in size so it is helpful to look at the coloration and markings on the abdomen.
Anyone who believes they have seen an Asian giant hornet is encouraged to email photos to their local Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for identification through UT’s Distance Diagnostics program. So far, almost all submissions have been identified as European hornets, yellowjackets, or eastern cicada killers – none have been confirmed as Asian giant hornets. However, we want to be sure we do not have any Asian giant hornets in the area so if you are still unsure after consulting the photos in the links, please email your photos to your Extension office (see below) for identification.
10-26-20 Update – The Washington State Department of Ag discovered an Asian giant hornet nest in a tree near Blaine, WA last week and they believe they successfully vacuumed out the hornets from the nest on Saturday, Oct. 24th. More information to come – the USDA will study some of the collected hornets in hopes of developing a lure or attractant for trapping. You can see and watch some neat photos and videos on the WSDA Facebook page.
Please see the WA State Dept of Ag’s website for previous updates and more information.
In recent weeks, people in TN have reported seeing syrphid (hover) flies but have thought they were hornets or bees. Please see these placards to see the differences between these flies and hornets/bees – many of these flies are beneficial insects so please refrain from killing them.


Everyone Can Practice Responsible Bee Stewardship

Whether you are a beekeeper, a farmer, or a pesticide applicator, you can help in preventing accidental bee kills due to pesticides. Even homeowners can help by spreading the word about this program! TN participates in FieldWatch, a multi-state program that supports communication, collaboration, and cooperation between stakeholders who use or are affected by pesticides. Learn more at the FieldWatch website and make sure the check out the section on resources for videos on how to use this voluntary system. This program is free for stakeholders to use thanks to the TN Dept of Ag.
Beekeepers can sign up and register on the beecheck website (one of the programs of FieldWatch). Please note that this is a separate (and voluntary) registry than the mandatory TDA apiary registry and you are not automatically enrolled when you register your apiary with TDA. When you register for beecheck, please use the same email address that you used when you registered your apiary with TDA – this will facilitate and speed up the cross-checking for your beecheck registration to be accepted.
Are your Zoom meetings getting stale?
Is your house messy? Do you want to spark conversation about bees and beekeeping? If so, please click below to download some of Dr. Tsuruda’s photos to use as your virtual background at your next Zoom meeting! Downloading and Zoom instructions are provided and a short survey is included to help steer the development of additional backgrounds.

More questions about bees and beekeeping?
Please contact your county Extension agricultural agent – click HERE to find your county office. *Just click on your county and then “About Us” to get the list of staff – please email your Agriculture and Natural Resources agent(s).