United States: giant hornets, deadly for humans, cause concern

The United States faces a new threat: Vespa mandarinia. This Asian giant hornet was spotted for the first time on the other side of the Atlantic in August and then in November 2019. Now, the insect, whose venom is fatal for humans, is causing concern to the authorities, reports the New York Times . In Japan, the hexapod, which can be up to 5.5 centimeters long, is responsible for the death of around 50 people a year.

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The arrival of the huge arthropod also caused panic among beekeepers. The Asian hornet, used to hunting in groups, could decimate entire populations of bees, yet so essential to the ecosystem. “Most people are afraid of being bitten. We are afraid that they will totally destroy our hives, ” warns beekeeper Ruthie Danielsen, interviewed by the American daily. With their powerful mandibles, Vespa mandarinia are able to destroy a hive in just a few hours.

In Washington State, where the flying insect was also seen, a real hunt was organized to try to eradicate it. " If we can't do it in the next two years, it probably won't be possible," said Chris Looney, entomologist in the Department of Agriculture. Scientists, together with the authorities, have set up various traps to limit the impact of these hornets, sometimes five times larger than bees.

Read also: Radio tracking, a new weapon to track down Asian hornets

In Japan, Asian bees have developed a technique to protect themselves from their fierce cousins, by sticking on them to kill them. But, according to the New York Times citing various experts, the American bees have not yet learned this ability. On the human side, extreme vigilance is de rigueur facing the giant hornet: its sting is capable of piercing the behavior of a beekeeper. As for the venom, once injected into the skin, it would be comparable to hot metal.