Texas Has Launched A Task Force To Prepare For The Arrival Of Murder Hornets
By Katie Lawrence|Published May 16, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Murder hornets might have invaded the country, but they’re not going to mess with Texas. The governor, along with Texas A&M AgriLife, has launched a task force to prepare for the potential arrival of the pests. Here’s everything you need to know:
Asian giant hornets, also known as "murder hornets," have recently been spotted in the U.S. for the first time ever. These two-inch long insects have been known to kill up to 50 people per year in Japan.
So far, the hornets have only invaded Washington state. We have a similar bug called the "cicada killer" wasp here in Texas, so don't freak out if you see one of these guys in your backyard.
Not only does the insect pose a threat to humans, but also the already declining honeybee population. Just a few hornets can completely destroy a hive within a matter of hours.
The hornet also has the potential to devastate agriculture, which is one of the most important industries here in Texas. With the food supply already under strain, this could have catastrophic repercussions.
Governor Greg Abbott, along with Texas A&M, has launched a task force to help ensure the hornets don't gain a foothold in Texas. Several different initiatives have been proposed to tackle the problem head-on and from all angles.
Training Customs and Border Protection staff to identify murder hornets is the first step to preventing their entry into the Lone Star State. Surveillance of incoming containers is being increased, and additional detection methods, such as scent-trained dogs, are being considered.
The task force will also be assisting with mitigation efforts to protect Texas honeybee populations. Luckily, bees already have an impressive defense mechanism against the hornets. They engulf them in a massive ball and proceed to increase their body temperature until the predators are "cooked."
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