Introduction The year began with a buzz of a different kind, a nervous hum that echoed across news outlets and social media feeds. It wasn’t the gentle thrum of honeybees, but the alarming drone of what was quickly dubbed the “murder hornet.” The Asian giant hornet, an insect native to parts of Asia, had made…
The Arrival and Heightened Concern Remember the anxiety that gripped the nation in the spring of two thousand twenty? News outlets were ablaze with stories of giant, menacing insects dubbed “murder hornets” poised to decimate honeybee populations and deliver potentially deadly stings. The Asian giant hornet, scientifically known as *Vespa mandarinia*, was a newcomer to…
The Fragile Beauty of California’s Botanical Heritage California, a land of stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems, boasts a botanical heritage unlike any other. From the towering redwoods of the north to the arid deserts of the south, the Golden State is home to a breathtaking array of native plants, many of which are found nowhere…
