US scientists have removed a nest of Asian giant hornets.
Their bad reputation as "bee killer" precedes the animals - now they should be researched further.
"
Killer hornet
" or "
bee killer
" - this term applies to the Asian giant hornet.
Scientists
from the
USA have
now been able to render a nest of the insect harmless.
Experts warn of the
Asian giant hornet
: people with
allergies
should stay away from them!
Munich / Olympia (Washington) - employees of the
Ministry of Agriculture of Washington
(Washington State Department of Agriculture; WSDA) succeeded in a nest of
Asian Riesenhornisse
eliminate.
It is the first nest that has been
removed
in the
USA
.
The researchers suspect that there are other nests.
Clearance work with protective suit, vacuum cleaner and foil - US researchers remove hornet's nest
On October 22, 2020, the nest was discovered on private property and reported to the authorities.
Just two days later, on October 24th, the
entomologists (insect researchers)
were able to remove
the nest and the
hornets
inside
.
A total of 98 workers are said to have been caught by the researchers: 85 during suction and 13 outside of the nest.
At around 5.30 in the morning, the "clearance work" began - in special suits, with a special suction device and a lot of foil.
The head entomologist Sven Spichiger reported the following about the action: "The
removal
went very smoothly, although our original plan had to be adjusted as the
nest was
more in a
tree
than in the ground."
+
A nest of Asian giant hornets was found in the USA and removed.
© Montage Merkur.de: Sheri Hartman / Washington State Dept of Agriculture
Scientists remove nest of "bee killers" - and suck off 85 hornets
The
experts
wrapped the affected tree tightly with foil, leaving only one area open.
Unnecessary openings were closed with foam.
Then the
hornet teat was brought
into position.
After the animals had reacted only sporadically, the scientists began knocking on the tree and driving the
Asian giant
hornets
out of their nest.
A total of 85 animals were sucked off.
13 others were caught with nets.
After most of the animals left the tree and none could be sucked out, the
nest was
filled
with
carbon dioxide
to either stun or kill
any
remaining
hornets
.
Asian giant hornets caught in the USA - now they are to be used for research
Since these are seen as a
danger to the domestic bee populations
, this was a common means.
Because of this danger, the animal is also given the name
"bee killer"
.
At the end of the work, the last opening was also sealed with foam.
However, the tree is to be felled to check how big the nest was and whether individual animals have survived.
On the Facebook page of the
Ministry
of
Agriculture
, it is said that all 85 animals that were sucked out survived and that these are to be used for further investigations.
The WSDA also thanked the owners of the private property and generally those who
report
sightings of the
Asian giant hornet to
the ministry.
The Asian giant hornet: a threat to bees, other insects - and humans
The
Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia)
is the largest hornet species in the world.
It
was first spotted
in the
United States
in December 2019.
But what makes the Asian giant hornet so special?
"Bee killer" or "killer hornet"?
Asian giant
hornets mainly attack honey bees
.
They decapitate the smaller animals and take over the nest of the wiped out bee colony.
The offspring of the bees serve as food for the hornet offspring.
Attacks on people or pets
do not take place for no reason, but only when the hornets feel threatened.
The
poison of
an Asian giant hornet is more poisonous than that of a honey bee, while the
sting is
larger and the hornet can
sting
multiple times.
Experts
especially warn allergy sufferers
not to get near Asian giant hornets.
Beekeepers who work with honey bees shouldn't
trust
their
protective suits
either
.
These offer no protection from the sting of the Asian giant hornet.
Nests or colonies
should not and must not be removed without authorization.
You should always consult a professional.
In
Germany
there is still
no confirmed sighting of
the Asian giant hornet, but the Asian hornet.
However, this is smaller and has little contact with people due to the lack of interest in human drinks or food.
(jey)
List of rubric lists: © Montage Merkur.de: Sheri Hartman / Washington State Dept of Agriculture