A murder hornet is a nickname given to the Asian giant hornet, which is the worlds largest hornet species. They are native to temperate and tropical East Asia, South Asia, Mainland Southeast Asia, and parts of Russia. The name "murder hornet" is a misleading nickname, as they are not known to attack humans or pets. Instead, they are known for their unsavory habit of slaughtering honeybees to feed their young. They can wipe out a honeybee hive in a matter of hours by decapitating the bees and flying away with the thoraxes. The Asian giant hornet can grow up to 2 inches long, which is five times bigger than a honeybee. They have a distinctive look, with a cartoonishly fierce face featuring teardrop eyes, orange and black stripes that extend down its body, and broad, wispy wings like a small dragonfly. The hornets potent venom and stinger, which is long enough to puncture a beekeeping suit, can make for an excruciating combination that victims have likened to hot metal driving into their skin. While they can sting humans, they are not usually aggressive towards them. If a murder hornet stings a human, it can deliver a lot more venom than other insects and can damage tissue. However, the chances of being stung by a murder hornet are low. If you see a murder hornet, it is best to contact a pest control professional to safely remove it.