Scientists change the name of "Asian murder hornet" to "northern giant hornet" to avoid anti-Asian discrimination

Photo: Karla Salp / Washington Dept. of Agriculture

In an effort to avoid anti-Asian discrimination, the Entomological Society of America (ESA) has adopted “northern giant hornet” as the common name for what used to be known as the “Asian murder hornet.”

"Common names are an important tool for entomologists to communicate with the public about insects and insect science," says ESA President Jessica Ware, Ph.D. "Northern giant hornet is both scientifically accurate and easy to understand, and it avoids evoking fear or discrimination."

Last year, the ESA issued new guidelines which bar names referring to cultures, populations, ethnicity, or race that could incite fear or discrimination. 

In a press release, the ESA said, “Amid a rise in hate crimes and discrimination against people of Asian descent, usage of "Asian" in the name of a pest insect can unintentionally bolster anti-Asian sentiment.”

The northern giant hornet has been the target of eradication after they were discovered in Washington state. According to the 2020 census, Asians make up the largest minority racial/ethnic group in the state with 735,427 people (9.2% of the total population).

Northern giant hornets are the world’s largest hornet. They are said to be dangerous because its venom packs a bigger dose and they can sting again and again. According to the Scientific American, “People stung by the hornet have described the experience as like being stabbed with a hot metal pin. The stinger is long enough to pierce the standard protective gear beekeepers wear.” A report from The New York Times says the hornets kill up to 50 up each year in Japan. 

Additionally, northern giant hornets pose a major threat to honeybees because the hornets can wipe out hives within a matter of hours.