The purpose of this suggestion is to conduct the second year ofmolecular research on the asian giant hornet (AGH; vespa mandarinia) tosupport the eradication of this species in washington state and…

This $139,930 cooperative agreement from the Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will support the delivery of molecular research services related to the Asian giant hornet. Colorado State University will conduct the second year of genomic sequencing and analysis to support eradication efforts for this species in Washington State and prevent further introductions into the U.S. Specific products include continuing to build genomic databases and sequence additional genomes to analyze population origins and routes of introduction. The university will also develop molecular assays to differentiate hornet subspecies and closely related species, as well as use environmental DNA analysis of bee kills and food sources. This research is critical to addressing the risks posed by Asian giant hornets to honey bees and human health. It supports the agency's goal of eradicating this pest under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care federal grant program (CFDA 10.025).

The purpose of this suggestion is to conduct the second year ofmolecular research on the asian giant hornet (AGH; vespa mandarinia) tosupport the eradication of this species in washington state and toprevent further introductions of this species into the U.S. Thissuggestion is a comprehensive multi-year approach to molecular researchneeds in support of the asian giant hornet response, and the cooperatorsinclude the laboratories currently working with aphis on AGH molecularresearch. Specifically, this suggestion will: 1) continue to add to thestandard sequence database for AGH from all locations that can be usedfor population-genomics work and identification; 2) sequence additionalfull-length genomes of AGH and other vespa in asia from locations wheredifferent subspecies may be present (and that were not available in YEAR1); 3) continue adding data to population-level genomic analysesproduced in year 1 to determine the origin of AGH in north america andidentify possible routes of introduction and spread; 4) continue addingdata to population and/or subspecies morphometric analyses, includingnew characters; 5) produce molecular-based assays to differentiatevarious subspecies of AGH; 6) produce molecular-based assays to separateagh from closely related vespa species; and 7) continue with ednaanalysis of AGH BEE kills, food sources, and fecal pellets as needed foreradication efforts. This research is essential to the AGH response inwashington state and addresses all of the important AGH molecularresearch components identified by PPQ. The presence of AGH in the U.S.poses a significant risk to honey bees, one of the most importantpollinators of more than 100 crops grown in the U.S., including manyspecialty crops. AGH also poses an important human health risk, especially to persons allergic to hymenoptera venom. The multiple findsof AGH in washington state and british columbia indicate there are oneor more populations of this species present in the region. Eradicationof this species is the prime goal of the USDA, and molecular researchincluded in this project is necessary to achieve this goal.