Hundreds of Asian giant hornets, an invasive, predatory insect dubbed the “murder hornet,” have turned up in Washington state near the Canadian border, where they pose a threat to humans and the beekeeping industry, state agriculture officials said on Monday.

The stinging Vespa mandarinia can grow as large as 6.35 cm in length and is native to Southeast Asia, China and Taiwan.

It was first discovered in Blaine, Washington, in December by a homeowner, according to Sven-Erik Spichiger, managing entomologist at the Washington state agriculture department.

“An Asian giant hornet can sting you multiple times and deliver larger doses of venom just because of the size of them.The venom itself is fairly toxic and creates localised necrosis around the wound so you’ll see melting flesh around the wound,” Spichiger told Reuters.