Northern giant hornets, first seen in the U.S. in 2019 in Whatcom County, can destroy honeybee populations quickly.

The Washington state Department of Agriculture on Oct. 7 was sent a photo of what appeared to be a deceased northern giant hornet spotted in the wild in the region of Burley in Kitsap County. The state agency is asking the public to report any suspected sightings of the hornet online at agr.wa.gov/hornets or via email at [email protected].

For the first time in three years, Washington state has announced it is investigating the possible sighting of a northern giant hornet, an invasive species known to kill honeybee hives. The state Department of Agriculture on Oct.