Murder Hornets invade the US
2020.05.14
THE world’s largest hornet, a 5cm killer dubbed the ‘Murder Hornet’ with an appetite for honey bees, has been found in Washington state (華盛頓州), and entomologists are making plans to wipe them out.
The giant Asian insects, with a sting that could be fatal to some humans, are just now starting to emerge from winter hibernation.
“They’re like something out of a monster cartoon with this huge yellow-orange face,” said Susan Cobey, a bee breeder at Washington State University.
“It’s a shockingly large hornet,” said Todd Murray, an entomologist and invasive species specialist. “It’s a health hazard, and more importantly, a significant predator of honey bees.”
The hornet was sighted for the first time – with two reports – in the US last December near Blaine, Washington, close to the Canadian border. There were other unconfirmed reports in the same region.
The hornet can sting through most beekeeper suits, deliver nearly seven times the amount of venom as a honey bee, and sting multiple times. The US authorities are ordering special reinforced suits from China.
It is not known how or where the hornets arrived in North America (北美). It normally lives in the forests and low mountains of eastern and southeast Asia and feeds on large insects, including wasps and bees.
It is dubbed the ‘Murder Hornet’ in Japan (xxx), where it is known to kill people.
The hornet’s life cycle begins in April, when the queens emerge from hibernation, feed on plant sap and fruit, and look for underground dens to build their nests.
Their stings are big and painful, with a potent neurotoxin. Multiple stings can kill humans, even if they are not allergic.
(This article is published on Junior Standard on 13 May 2020)
The way Japanese bees kill murder hornets is terrifying and impressive
What it feels like to be stung by an Asian giant hornet
