It's been less than one month since the Great Banded Hornet was first discovered here in Guam. And it looks like the invasive wasp species may be here to stay. It's a particularly aggressive wasp species known as vespa tropica. While typically found throughout Southeast Asia, it was discovered in Guam for the first time last month.

Since then University of Guam entomologist Dr. Ross Miller says there have been roughly twelve confirmed sightings of the wasp in areas ranging from Cross-Island Road in Yona all the way up to Dededo.  "We think the wasp has been here about a year, maybe two years - it's probably well established. We don't think it will be eradicated, once something is established in Guam there are so many places it can nest, it's almost impossible to fight it," he explained.

That means the wasp is likely here in Guam to stay, and Dr. Miller expects its population to increase significantly over the next year. "They will probably feed on honey bees and some of the wasps that are already here, and then gradually over time the populations will subside and reach some kind of equilibrium," he said.

Miller said of the five nests discovered so far, only two have yet to be destroyed, noting, "One of them is probably going to be destroyed from a private pest control operator. The other nest was found by the fire department as they were trying to rescue a dog, and it's on a cliff down in Tamuning, and it's going to be very difficult to get to that."

Because the wasps are exceptionally large at one and a half to two inches long, venomous, and able to sting multiple times, they are considered a health hazard to Guam's vulnerable populations. These include children, the elderly, and those with allergies to bees and wasps. He said if residents who are allergic are stung, they could go into anaphylactic shock and suffocate in as little as thirty minutes.

Because of this risk, he encourages residents who suspect they are allergic to seek advice from a medical professional as soon as possible.