Asian Giant Hornet Alert

Some of you might have already heard about the detection of Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarina) near the Washington State border with Canada during early December 2019. Last fall this hornet was also reported in British Columbia, Canada (www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/asian-giant-hornet-next-destroyed-nanaimo-1.5290691). I just wanted to provide you a quick update on this potential new threat to our bees. Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) appears to have begun an ambitious effort to eradicate this hornet in Washington State since it was detected in December. They are planning on detecting and eradicating the hornet nests. They are seeking public assistance in reporting sightings of these hornets. Here is the link to the pest alert from WSDA: wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2019/12/pest-alert-asian-giant-hornet.html.

Asian Giant Hornet is considered the world’s largest hornet, measuring about 1.5 inches with a large yellow head. This invasive hornet apparently was introduced from Asia and nests in the ground. There are reports that this hornet can decimate 40 honey bees in a minute, and hence can be quite devastating to honey bees. Here is a link to the WSDA blogspot to identify an Asian Giant Hornet: wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2020/01/hornets.html.

Currently, there have been no reports or detections of this giant hornet in Oregon, but we all need to be vigilant. Please keep an eye out for these nasty hornets and report detection of any suspicious hornets to the Oregon Department of Agriculture or to us (OSU Honey Bee Lab). With our collective efforts, let us make sure that this hornet is not able to establish in Oregon.

Ramesh Sagili

Honey Bee Brood Disease Identification Training for Veterinarians

We understand that beekeepers are having trouble finding veterinarians who can provide prescription for antibiotics to treat honey bee brood diseases. Veterinarians are reluctant to provide a prescription, as a majority of them do not have knowledge of honey bee diseases. To address this problem, OSU Honey Bee Lab is collaborating with veterinary faculty member Dr. Michelle Kutzler at OSU to train veterinarians on honey bee disease diagnosis so that veterinarians in the state are willing to provide prescriptions for antibiotics when needed by beekeepers. Dr. Kutzler plans to travel around the state and conduct trainings at several veterinary clinics to train interested veterinarians. Please feel free to nominate a veterinary clinic / veterinarian in your area for the free training program. Free food will also be served at these trainings. Please send your nominations directly to either Dr. Kutzler at Michelle.Kutzler@oregonstate.edu or to me (ramesh.sagili@oregonstate.edu) or Carolyn Breece (carolyn.breece@oregonstate.edu).

Ramesh Sagili

USDA Announces Updates for Honeybee Producers