Nooksack, Wash. — Officials with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) ask people in the area in the foothills east of Nooksack to keep their eyes open for Asian giant hornets (AGH) after a possible sighting was reported.
While considered a suspected and not confirmed sighting, the image captured on a dashcam looked similar enough for WSDA officials to call it concerning.
We received a concerning report of a suspected Asian giant hornet today – concerning because of the location, which is much further east than any confirmed sighting.
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While we cannot positively ID this image as AGH, the size, colors, and shape are consistent with AGH.
If you live or recreate anywhere near this area, keep your eyes open and your phone handy to snap a pic and report any additional sightings to us at agr.wa.gov/hornets.WSDA (September 16, 2021)
Previous confirmed sightings and located nests have been in areas further west in Blaine.
Asian giant hornets can be nearly 2 inches long, and have have a large, bright orange/yellow head with large dark eyes, a black thorax and a distinctly orange and black striped abdomen. They are major predators of honeybees and can often be seen hovering near or raiding hives in the late summer.
