Imagine the most terrifying hornet you can think of.
Well, it has arrived on the western side of America. Entomologists fear what it will do to our honeybees and also the danger it poses to humans and animals alike.
The Asian giant hornet is from eastern and southeast Asia and nicknamed by the Japanese 'Murder Hornet' because it kills 50 people a year.
Scientists want to take action now and try to kill this terrifying hornet before it establishes itself across America where it poses a threat to our ecosystem.
According to The Daily Mail:
The large 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.
The insects also have a large stinger filled with venom that contains neurotoxin, which is capable of causing both cardiac arrest and anaphylactic shock
The hornet´s life cycle begins in April, when queens emerge from hibernation, feed on plant sap and fruit, and look for underground dens to build their nests. Hornets are most destructive in the late summer and early fall. Like a marauding army, they attack honey bee hives, killing adult bees and devouring larvae and pupae, WSU said.
Their stings are big and painful, with a potent neurotoxin. Multiple stings can kill humans, even if they are not allergic, the university said.
Farmers depend on honey bees to pollinate many important northwest crops such as apples, blueberries and cherries. With the threat from giant hornets, 'beekeepers may be reluctant to bring their hives here,' said Island County Extension scientist Tim Lawrence.
These hornets nest underground most the year then emerge most active through July and November.
Hopefully, we can take care of this thing before it establishes and is practically inevitable to kill off.
I sure do not want to come close to one of these things.
