Vespa mandarinia, sometimes known as the Asian giant hornet, is the largest hornet species in the world. It was first detected in North America in Vancouver, British Columbia, and later in Whatcom County, Washington, in late 2019. The first sighting of the insect in 2021 occurred in early August, also in Whatcom County in northwestern Washington, and its nest was located nearby last week shortly after. In 2021, a team of researchers at Montana State University analyzed environmental and habitat conditions across four states in the Pacific Northwest to create a county-by-county risk rating for establishment of the invasive Asian giant hornet. (Photo by Karla Salp, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org)