The Asian giant hornet, first confirmed in Washington State in 2019, delivers a sting so concentrated that around 50 people die annually in Japan from the venom, and a single nest can dismember 30,000
Space Daily • • science
Key Points:
- The Asian giant hornet, first detected in Washington State in December 2019, is a highly dangerous insect known for its potent venom and devastating attacks on honeybee colonies, capable of killing 30,000 bees in hours.
- Its venom contains neurotoxins and cytolytic peptides that cause intense pain and tissue damage, with multiple stings potentially leading to fatal anaphylactic shock or kidney failure in humans.
- Unlike native Japanese honeybees that can defend against these hornets by overheating them, European honeybees lack effective defenses, making them highly vulnerable to hornet attacks.
- Washington State Department of Agriculture successfully eradicated the hornet by late 2024 through targeted nest removal and monitoring, though the risk of new introductions via international shipping remains.
- An unexpected predator, the Japanese black-spotted pond frog, has been observed eating these hornets without harm, suggesting a unique physiological resistance to the venom.