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World's biggest hornets, with a sting that cankill, land in United States

Image 1. A giant Asian hornet from Japan is displayed at the Washington State Department of Agriculture on May 4, 2020, in Olympia,Washington. The insect, which has been found in Washington state, is the world's largest hornet and has been dubbed the "murder hornet"because of its appetite for honey bees, and a sting that can be fatal to some people. Photo:Ted S. Warren/AP Photo

The world's largest hornet is now in the United States. It is 2 inches long. It normally lives in Asia.

In 2019, people saw it in Washington state.

The hornets have powerful stings. They kill honey bees. They can even kill people, but this is very

rare. Scientists are trying to get rid of the hornets.

"They're like something out of a monster cartoon," said Susan Cobey. She is a beekeeper. She

works at Washington State University.

Scientists do not know how the hornets arrived in the U.S. Their usual homes are the forests and

mountains of Asia. They feed on large insects. These include wasps and bees.

Powerful Poison

By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff on 05.15.20Word Count 384Level 570L

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

In December 2019, people spotted the hornets for the first time in the U.S. They were seen twice

near Blaine, Washington. This is close to the Canadian border.

The hornet can sting through most beekeeper suits.

Their stings have a powerful poison. Multiple stings

can kill humans. The state Department of Agriculture

ordered special beekeeper suits with extra protection.

Queen Hornets

In April, queen hornets come out of hibernation. This

is a when an animal spends the winter in an inactive

state. The queen is the hornet that is the mother

to most of the hornets in the hive.

The hornets build their nests underground. In late

summer and early fall, they attack honey bee hives.

They kill adult honey bees. They also eat the younger

ones.

This is a problem. Farmers need honey bees. Honey bees are pollinators. This means that they

move pollen from one plant to another. This helps plants create new plants. The bees help crops

such as apples, blueberries and cherries. The giant hornets are a threat to the honey bees and the

crops.

Scientists say people need to learn how to recognize the hornets. Then, scientists can get rid of

them. Scientists will trap queen hornets this spring in Washington. But ordinary people should not

try to hunt or trap the hornets.

"If you get into them, run away, then call us!'' says one scientist.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

Quiz

1 Read the paragraph below from the Introduction [paragraphs 1-4].

The world's largest hornet is now in the United States. It is 2 inches long. It normally lives in Asia.In 2019, people saw it in Washington state.

What is the MAIN idea of this paragraph?

(A) Giant hornets from Asia are now in the United States.

(B) Giant hornets from Asia are very dangerous.

(C) The world's largest hornet comes from Asia.

(D) The world's largest hornet is 2 inches long.

2 The main idea of the section "Queen Hornets" is that the hornets are a problem for farmers.

Which key detail from the section supports the section's MAIN idea?

(A) In April, queen hornets come out of hibernation. This is a time when an animal spends the winter in aninactive state.

(B) The hornets build their nests underground. In late summer and early fall, they attack honey bee hives.

(C) The bees help crops such as apples, blueberries and cherries. The giant hornets are a threat to thehoney bees and the crops.

(D) Scientists say people need to learn how to recognize the hornets. Then, scientists can get rid of them.

3 WHY did the Department of Agriculture order special beekeeper suits?

(A) to protect beekeepers from the hornets' powerful sting

(B) to help ordinary people hunt or trap the hornets

(C) because hornets were seen for the first time near Canada

(D) because more people are becoming beekeepers now

4 WHY do farmers need honey bees?

(A) They feed on large insects.

(B) They pollinate new plants.

(C) They have a large hive.

(D) They attack queen hornets.