If you thought bees were scary, things got taken to the next level with murder hornets. In actuality, they are the Asian giant hornet. But quickly, murder hornets have become a buzzing topic that’s generated plenty of fear.
However, despite being found in multiple locations in the United States, they sound more dangerous than they really are.
Murder hornets attempt to destroy honeybee populations. Unfortunately, as some Americans have discovered, they possess a rather painful sting that has been likened to flaming thumbtacks. The pain might be unbearable, but according to entomologists, the presence of murder hornets does not necessitate wide-spread panic.
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“The Asian giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia, is a fierce predator that kills many kinds of insects, but it specializes on social bees that live in large colonies,” said Michael J. Raupp, a professor at the University of Maryland. According to the entomology professor, the hornets’ victim list includes the European honeybee. For those who love the sweet taste of honey, that’s bad news.
Rapp explained the process by which murder hornets attack bees, and let’s just say it’s not pretty.
“These raiders decapitate worker bees to disable them, then carry the workers and bee brood back to the nest to feed the queen and wasp larvae,” he said.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
What’s more concerning when it comes to murder hornets is their effect on the ecological system. Bees play an important role in the environment, so a serious population threat like murder hornets is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
However, for humans, the Asian giant hornet isn’t really a life-threatening issue. The stings may hurt, but the potential loss of honeybees and the trickle-down effect on the environment could be far worse.
Have you been stung by a bee or hornet before? What’s the secret to making the pain go away? Tell us about your home remedies in the comments below!
