“Murder hornets” spotted in US for the first time

Asian Giant Hornets, also known as “murder hornets” have arrived, for the first time in the United States.

According to researchers, the large insects that have been spotted in Washington state, post threat to the country’s bee population as they destroy bee hives.

The hornets, which are native to Asia, can grow to be between 1.5 to 2 inches long, and their stings, which are described as extremely painful, are packed with neurotoxins.

Researchers say their stings can also be deadly to humans if stung multiple times.

The main concern surrounds the potential impact on the already declining honeybee population.

The hornets attack bee hives by decapitating the adults and eating the larvae.

They then destroy an entire hive in a number of hours.

Officials fear the hornets could not only devastate the bee population, but also threaten crops that rely on bees for pollination.

Researchers nicknamed the insect the “Murder Hornet” because its venomous sting can kill a human if they are stung several times.

They are also strong enough to puncture a beekeeper's suit.

Scientists do not yet know how they made it to the U.S.