No, That’s Not a Giant Hornet: U of I Entomologists Educate Community After False Sightings

Western Cicade Killer Wasp

MOSCOW, Idaho — Sept. 28, 20222 — A harmless, native insect known as the cicada killer wasp is being mistaken throughout Idaho as an international invader with a menacing reputation.

University of Idaho Extension Entomologists Jason Thomas, of Minidoka County, and Brad Stokes, of Elmore County, recently responded to several purported sightings of northern giant hornets – formerly referred to as murder hornets – known for their painful sting and decimation of honeybee colonies.

Northern Giant Hornet

The entomologists run the Idaho Insect Identification website helping farmers, ranchers and Idaho’s general public correctly identify insects, arachnids and other arthropods.

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper’s online edition.