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At least 42 people have been killed and another 1600 injured by Asian Hornets, the largest species of hornet known. Most of the deaths have occurred in China’s Shaanxi province. Although the hornets have been around for years, they have taken on a new level of aggression, and started attacking people without provocation. The hornet’s toxin is highly poisonous to humans, and just one sting can be enough to put some in the hospital. Repeated stings can cause sepsis, which can result in death if not treated quickly enough. The toxin must be removed from the bloodstream by dialysis before it causes organ failure, in order for a patient that has been stun repeatedly to survive. The hornets also leave bullet sized wounds where they have stung.
Hornets Aggression
Asian hornets have always been highly aggressive towards other species, especially honey bees. The hornets commonly seek out honey bee hives, then leave a trail for the other hornets to follow. When the hornets have closed in on the hive, they will slaughter the honey bees by decapitating them with their jaws, then take over the hive. This aggressive behavior is starting to be displayed towards humans. The hornets will not only attack humans, but will give chase if the human runs. These hornets are capable of speeds up to 25 miles an hour, and can travel at least 600 feet before slowing.
Even as workers are struggling to eradicate huge nests of the hornets in the towns that are being terrorized, scientists are struggling to understand what has caused the shift to such aggression. So far, they have cited warmer temperatures and encroachment on forests as possible explanations. The threat is far from over, though. The hornets have made their way into France through a pottery shipment in 2004, and officials fear that they may be heading to Britain next.
