Tagging an Asian Giant Hornet

Tagging an Asian Giant Hornet

Photo by: Brandon Wong

Brandon Wong

Attack of the Murder Hornets Buzzes on to discovery+

By: Nesa Nourmohammadi

ATTACK OF THE MURDER HORNETS follows a group of beekeepers and scientists who work together to protect their community from deadly and invasive Asian giant hornets. The documentary premieres February 20 on discovery+

February 04, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t the only scary thing about 2020.

While the world dealt with a global health crisis, a small community in Washington state was buzzing (pun intended) by the emergence of deadly and invasive Asian giant hornets. Their stories will be the focus of an upcoming documentary, premiering Saturday, February 20 on discovery+.

ATTACK OF THE MURDER HORNETS follows a group of beekeepers and scientists who must work together to protect their community from the dangerous insects after a beekeeper discovers his colony of 60,000 honeybees destroyed. At the center of the documentary is Washington State Department of Agriculture entomologist (or insect expert) Chris Looney, who is on a mission to track down the hornets. Joining him in the investigation are beekeepers Ted McFall and Ruthie Danielsen, government insect-expert Sven-Erik Spichiger, and Conrad Bérubé, the first person to destroy a Murder Hornet nest in North America. Together, the team must track down a nest before the queens inside can escape to start their own colonies.

Sven-Erik Spichiger in protective gear holding a tube filled with Asian Giant Hornets.

Sven-Erik Spichiger in protective gear holding a tube filled with Asian Giant Hornets.

Photo by: Brandon Wong

Brandon Wong

Sven-Erik Spichiger in protective gear holding a tube filled with Asian Giant Hornets.

Asian giant hornets earned the murder hornet moniker by the violent way they decimate prey. Using their large mandibles, the hornets can behead their prey in seconds. Studies show one Asian giant hornet can kill up to 20 honeybees in a single minute, while a small group can destroy a hive of 30,000 honeybees in 90 minutes.

Asian Giant Hornet emerging from a cocoon.

Asian Giant Hornet emerging from a cocoon.

Photo by: Brandon Wong

Brandon Wong

Asian Giant Hornet emerging from a cocoon.

The destruction of honeybees by Asian giant hornets is a threat to people. Honeybees are considered the world’s most important pollinator of food crops. If too many are killed, the global food supply could be jeopardized.

For all things centered around ATTACK OF THE MURDER HORNETS, be sure to follow Discovery on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and use #MurderHornets to join the conversation on social media.

Next Up

Celebrity Car Dealers Showcase the American Dream on MILLION DOLLAR WHEELS

The cutthroat and elite world of celebrity luxury and supercar dealers is on full display is the new discovery+ series, MILLION DOLLAR WHEELS executive produced by academy award®-winner, Jamie Foxx. Watch the series premiere on February 28, 2022 on discovery+.

The Fastest Female Drivers in America are Racing on STREET OUTLAWS: GONE GIRL

Seven women are ready to smoke the competition driving straight-up street-legal cars in the all-new series STREET OUTLAWS: GONE GIRL — coming to discovery+ on September 6.

Carole Baskin Shares Her Story in a new Two-Part discovery+ Docu-Series

Carole Baskin is on a mission to protect Big Cats and to stop the abuse of Big Cats forever. CAROLE BASKIN’S CAGE FIGHT is coming to discovery+ on Saturday, Nov. 13.

Ellen DeGeneres Partners with Discovery to Produce Natural History Content

In what will be the first time she has lent her voice to a documentary, DeGeneres will narrate ENDANGERED, which begins streaming April 22 on discovery+.

Let's Get Piggy With It — PIG ROYALTY Returns to discovery+

Lines are drawn and loyal allies become enemies as the fan-favorite series PIG ROYALTY returns discovery+ on Wednesday, March 16.

Discovery and Georgia Aquarium Team Up for Real-Time Access to Aquatic Animals

Together, Discovery and Georgia Aquarium will document animal experiences and global conservation efforts across Discovery’s platforms and discovery+.

What to LOVE in February on discovery+

February is the month to stream what you love on discovery+. Whatever you're into, from PUPPY BOWL to FINDING BIGFOOT to GOLD RUSH, you can find it streaming on the brand new streaming service. (Updated 2/10/21)

Say Hello to What's New on discovery+ in January 2021

You can now stream the best of Discovery's real-life entertainment, including BBC's award-winning natural history collection on discovery+. Whatever you're into, you'll find it on the new streaming service.

Vice President Harris Joins Action Planet: Meeting the Climate Challenge

Vice President Kamala Harris is joined by other ranking members of the Biden administration to discuss the impact of climate change on the world in the new original series ACTION PLANET. Also featured is Jane Fonda, Common, Matt Damon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Adrian Grenier, Greta Thunberg, and more who are making their discovery+ debut on Earth Day, April 22.Updated April 21, 2021

Who You Gonna Call? Bare Hands Rescue!

Squirrel in your fireplace? Skunk in your hot tub? Call Michael "Bare Hands" Beran! The all-new special BARE HANDS RESCUE premieres Sunday, August 22 at 10PM ET/PT on Animal Planet and discovery+.