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Asian giant hornet

The Asian giant hornet (*Vespa mandarinia*) is the world’s largest hornet and a social wasp native to parts of Asia.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Asian giant hornet (*Vespa mandarinia*) is the world’s largest hornet and a social wasp native to parts of Asia. In North America, it gained attention under the sensational nickname “murder hornet” after detections in British Columbia and Washington in 2019–2020, but it was not known to be established there. It is best known for preying on insects, including honey bees, and for its painful sting.

Taxonomy and naming

The Asian giant hornet is a hornet species in the wasp family Vespidae. Its scientific name is *Vespa mandarinia*, and the nickname “murder hornet” is a sensational common label used in media coverage.

Description

This species is notable for its large size, with queens reaching about 2 inches in length and workers and males smaller but still large for a hornet. It typically has a yellow-orange head, dark thorax, and striped abdomen.

Range and habitat

The Asian giant hornet is native to parts of Asia and is associated with temperate and subtropical lowland forests. It forms subterranean nests that can support large colonies.

Diet and behaviour

It feeds on a variety of insects, including large beetles, and also consumes tree sap, nectar, honey, and soft fruits. It is especially known for attacking Honey Bee colonies.

North American detections

North American detections were reported in British Columbia and Washington beginning in 2019–2020. The species was detected in British Columbia, making it a Canadian invasive-species concern and a focus of monitoring by provincial and federal agencies. It was not known to be established there.

Key facts

  • It is widely described as the world’s largest hornet.
  • The species is native to parts of Asia, including East and Southeast Asia.
  • It builds large social nests, commonly underground.
  • It is a predator of other insects and can attack honey bee colonies.
  • North American detections were reported in British Columbia and Washington beginning in 2019–2020, but it was not known to be established there.
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Canadian context

The species was detected in British Columbia, making it a Canadian invasive-species concern and a focus of monitoring by provincial and federal agencies.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Asian giant hornet the same as a murder hornet?
Yes. “Murder hornet” is a nickname used in media for the Asian giant hornet (*Vespa mandarinia*).
Why is it called a murder hornet?
The nickname comes from its size, predatory behaviour, and ability to kill honey bees, not from any scientific classification.
How big is an Asian giant hornet?
It is the world’s largest hornet, with individuals reaching about 2 inches (5 cm) in length.
Where is the Asian giant hornet native to?
It is native to parts of Asia, including East, Southeast, and South Asia, as well as parts of the Russian Far East.
Does it pose a major threat to humans?
It can sting painfully and may be medically significant, but sources in the search results emphasize that its main ecological threat is to honey bees rather than to humans.
Was it established in Canada?
The search results say it was detected in British Columbia in 2020, but it was not known to be established there.

References

  1. Utah State University Extension — https://extension.usu.edu/pests/research/asian-giant-hornet
    Supports: Native range, size, nesting, diet, and detection in Washington and British Columbia without known establishment
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_giant_hornet
    Supports: Scientific name, world’s largest hornet, native range, and North American detection context
  3. University of Wisconsin Insect Lab — https://insectlab.russell.wisc.edu/2020/05/12/6-things-to-know-about-asian-giant-hornets/
    Supports: Nickname, size, appearance, subterranean nests, honey bee predation, and human sting concerns
  4. National Wildlife Federation — https://blog.nwf.org/2020/05/facts-about-the-murder-hornet/
    Supports: Reports of detections and lack of verified persistence/establishment in Canada and the U.S. at that time
  5. Missouri Department of Agriculture — https://agriculture.mo.gov/plants/pests/asian-giant-hornet.php
    Supports: World’s largest hornet, appearance, native range, first U.S. detection, and honey bee attacks