Over the past few years, several reports of large hornets spotted in Muskoka have been made. While there is no concrete proof that these are northern giant hornets, northern giant hornets are not indigenous to the area and can prey on honeybees.
According to the province of Ontario, northern giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia) are also known as Japanese giant hornets and have been referred to in the media as ‘murder hornets.’
They are the largest hornet species in the world and are native to temperate and tropical regions in China, Korea, Japan, and northern India.
“These hornets pose a serious threat to Ontario’s agriculture and native biodiversity, including resident bees and wasps. They can also destroy honey bee colonies in less than 24 hours,” notes the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Northern giant hornets cannot be verified without a specimen or a photograph. Identification must be confirmed by a specialist such as an entomologist or taxonomist.
Report a sighting here if you see a giant wasp in your neighbourhood.
The Ministry’s site HERE has more information, including photos of the different wasps and some commonly confused species.
Below are some of the posts spotted on the Facebook site Muskoka Bulletin Board through the years.
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Tyler Peterson says
Where do you report to? I have seen 2 of these hornets.
Karen Rowen says
Seen these here in the Kawarthas as well
Ian Bachanek says
I found some large hornets near me (GTA). Had their pictures analyzed by the ROM. European hornets. Same size as Asian hornets and no longer considered invasive as they’ve been here about 200 years. Really aggressive and territorial. Google for an entomology website and they can help identify. Best pics are face and back (for the pattern).
Elizabeth Zbikowski says
Saw these in Port Severn, Hungry Bay Rd, six mile lake.
Just this past weekend, May 20th.
Craig Nakamoto says
I don’t believe that there are ANY confirmed cases of Japanese Killer Hornets in Ontario.
Please do not assume that you are seeing this species, it can be very similar to European Hornets.
https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/the-latest-buzz-about-northern-giant-hornets/
jason Gullett says
I caught one in Muskoka this weekend and it is an Asian Giant Hornet not the European. The same day I posted a picture numerous other people caught them as well all over Muskoka. There is no point in reporting (I did though) as they have spread everywhere. The MNR isn’t even following up to the reports with pictures. Nothing we can do now. I hope it isn’t like the Asian lady bug first year. There were clouds of them flying around. If that happens with these I’m moving out of the country. Nightmares with wings!!! FYI it wasn’t that aggressive when I was trying to hit it with a pizza peel. I wouldnt want to threaten their nest though eek
Mike Patterson says
My sister and I were watching this huge bee 🐝 about a week ago and it was hovering up and down just like a humming bird does when collecting nectar. It was marked almost like a Bumble Bee but about 4 times larger.
It was the northwest corner of the workshop it was moving near. We tried to get a picture and couldn’t because the sun was right in front of us. All that showed was a big glare. Tick us right off. At the same time it seemed it almost seem cool, it was also scary wandering what the heck is was and why is it here.
We live in Ingersoll, Ontario, just seven and a half miles west of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦.
Loie Urquhart says
Have taken numerous pics of giant hornet on my hummingbird feeder.Very alarming but happy to see others reported the same hornet.Yikes.
Nathan Cockram. says
These look like European Hornets, although the second from bottom picture looks to be of a native Cicada Killer wasp.
Jamie closson says
Just encountered one of these in trenton, made a bumble bee look like a fly.
Diane Chapman says
Concerned over the number of European hornets this year. Have not seen ANY other, except for the odd bumblebee. Are they possible killing off other species? We normally see all kinds of regular hornets and wasps by now.
Drew Hutcheson says
This article got me very worried because we have huge hornets. I got the impression that Northern Giant Hornets have arrived in Muskoka. Trapped and killed one of our big ones. Went to the government website and found that the government is saying there have been NO confirmed sightings in Ontario. Is that true? If not, THAT would be a story worth reporting. But if so, you have seeded needless panic in the community and contributed to mistrust of “mainstream media”, and should not be publishing this kind of thing.
Our big hornets are European Hornets, nothing new and nothing to worry about.
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I saw one while I was on a metro bus