Insects and Spiders - native

unknown on Jul 5, 2024

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

It was about 1.5" long. The stinger seemed a bit more prominent than in the photos I have seen. It looker very much like the photos online. It was on the sidewalk. I did not think to take a photo, it seemed to be resting so we quickly stepped on it. I am a gardener and am familiar with native bee species and this did not remotely look like a native bee.

I will ho back today and see is the remains are still there and collect them in case they would be of help

Commentary

Thank you for your hornet report. Unfortunately, without a photo it can be very difficult to verify the identity of the insect you saw. But please continue to be on the lookout and feel free to use our online reporting site for future sightings: https://oda.fyi/HornetReport. We’ve been trapping in the Portland metro area for the last few years and will be again this year. Luckily, no true hornets have been found so far through either our trapping or citizen reports.

In Oregon we have many different lookalike species and this poster highlights just a few of them: AsianGiantHornetLookAlikesPoster.pdf. Given your location and description I would guess the insect you saw was a Cicada Killer in the genus: Sphecius. They are probably our most convincing hornet look-a-likes as they are very similar in overall appearance.

Thank you for your interest in keeping invasive species out of Oregon!

Tom Valente
July 8, 2024, 2:27 a.m.

Location

A friend and I spotted what we believe was a a Japanese Murder Hornet Friday July 5th.

The Hornet was on the sidewalk at NE 43rd Ave and NE Weidler St. in Portland. The Hollywood District. It was at the south east corner of Trader Joes building.

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

© 2024 Portland State University | Contact us for questions regarding site content