The phrase “Murder Hornet” is a sensational name for the Asian Giant Hornet, scientifically known as Vespa mandarinia. This invasive species, native to eastern Asia, is officially referred to as the Northern Giant Hornet (NGH) by the Entomological Society of America. For residents of the Commonwealth, the answer is reassuring: Vespa mandarinia is not established or confirmed to be present in Pennsylvania. The fear surrounding this insect, which preys on honeybees and can deliver a painful sting, is understandable, but the species does not pose an immediate threat to the state’s ecosystem or its citizens.
The Definitive Status of Asian Giant Hornets in Pennsylvania
Official surveillance confirms that the Northern Giant Hornet is absent from Pennsylvania and the entire eastern half of North America. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and federal agencies like the USDA have been monitoring the situation since the initial North American detections. The species was first confirmed on the continent in late 2019, with isolated sightings in Washington state and British Columbia, Canada.
These initial detections were met with intensive tracking and eradication efforts by state and federal entomologists. The focus of the infestation remained isolated to the Pacific Northwest, with no evidence of the hornets migrating or establishing colonies across the continental divide. The last confirmed nest in the United States was eradicated in 2021. Due to a subsequent lack of additional sightings from 2022 to 2024, the Northern Giant Hornet was recently declared eradicated from North America. This success means that any large hornet or wasp seen in Pennsylvania is guaranteed to be a native species or another established non-native insect.
Common Look-Alikes Mistaken for the Asian Giant Hornet
Since the target species is not present, public concern in Pennsylvania is almost always rooted in encounters with large native or naturalized insects. The most common source of confusion is the European Hornet, Vespa crabro, which is an established non-native species in the state. This hornet is notably large, with queens reaching lengths comparable to NGH workers, and it is the only true hornet species found throughout the Eastern United States.
The European Hornet is a social insect that constructs its nests in protected cavities, such as hollow trees, voids in walls, or inside attics. Another insect frequently mistaken for the NGH is the Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp, Sphecius speciosus. This solitary wasp is one of the largest in the region, with females reaching nearly two inches in length.
Unlike the tree-nesting European Hornet, the Eastern Cicada Killer is a ground-nester, creating individual burrows in dry, loose soil, often in lawns or garden beds. The female hunts cicadas, paralyzes them with a sting, and drags them back to her burrow to provision her offspring. While both the European Hornet and the Cicada Killer Wasp appear imposing, neither possesses the distinct physical markers of the Northern Giant Hornet.
Key Identification Features and Reporting Protocol
Distinguishing the Northern Giant Hornet from its look-alikes involves focusing on a few specific visual cues. The true Vespa mandarinia has a large, smooth head that is predominantly yellow or orange, contrasting with its dark eyes and black thorax. Its abdomen features evenly spaced black and yellow-orange bands.
The European Hornet, by contrast, has a reddish-brown head and thorax, and its abdomen features sinuous, or wavy, yellow bands. The Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp is distinguished by its reddish and black hairy thorax and a black abdomen marked with three distinct light yellow stripes. The Cicada Killer’s wings are brownish-yellow.
If a resident believes they have encountered an insect that matches the specific description of the Northern Giant Hornet, the proper protocol must be followed immediately. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) requests that any potential sighting be reported for verification. The most helpful evidence is a clear, focused photograph of the specimen, along with the precise location of the sighting. Reports can be submitted via email to the PDA at [email protected], or residents can contact their local Penn State Extension office for guidance.