Asian giant hornets have been spotted in the United States and Canada for the first time – sparking panic among members of the scientific community .
The large insects – nicknamed 'murder hornets' – are native to temperate and tropical climates in East Asia, where they kill around 50 people are year.
But since November 2019, there have been several sightings of the hornets on the west coast of North America. It's unclear how they arrived.
Asian giant hornets are more than double the size of honeybees, and have a wingspan measuring more than three inches.
Asian giant hornets have been spotted in the United States and Canada for the first time – sparking panic among members of the scientific community