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Q&A

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Poster

P-IE: Pollinator - Apiculture

D3152: Greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) established at several locations on Guam

Tuesday, November 2, 2021
9:00 AM – 6:30 PM MT
Location:: Exhibit Hall F
In-Person Poster

    Presenting Author(s)

  • RM

    Ross H. Miller

    Professor of Entomology
    University of Guam
    Mangilao, Guam

    • Co-Author(s)

  • CR

    Christopher Rosario

    Invasive Species Coordinator
    Government of Guam Biosecurity Division
    Mangilao, Guam

The Greater Banded Hornet, Vespa tropica, was identified in a residential area in Tumon, Guam in 2016. A single specimen was collected from a colony of large hornets nesting in a hollow avocado tree. The introduction of V. tropica on Guam was most likely from an empty cargo container shipped from Southeast Asia. V. tropica is very aggressive and readily stings within vicinity of its nest. Since 2016, 28 nests have been identified throughout northern and eastern Guam. The rapid spread of V. tropica throughout Guam raises a public health concern as attacks can be potentially fatal due to the number and persistence of attacking hornets. The Guam distribution of V. tropica nests indicates that island-wide eradication is not feasible.