Horrific 'Murder Hornets' Arrive in United States, Could Devastate Honeybee Population
A terrifying insect known as the "murder hornet" has entered the United States. The Asian giant hornets that kill up to 50 people a year in Japan were spotted late last year near Custer Washington, according to the New York Times. There is a fear the arrival could decimate the population of honeybees in the U.S.
"With queens that can grow to two inches long, Asian giant hornets can use mandibles shaped like spiked shark fins to wipe out a honeybee hive in a matter of hours, decapitating the bees and flying away with the thoraxes to feed their young," writes "For larger targets, the hornet’s potent venom and stinger — long enough to puncture a beekeeping suit — make for an excruciating combination that victims have likened to hot metal driving into their skin."
Warning: the pictures of the mammoth-like insect could make you change your outdoor plans this weekend.
" like something out of a monster cartoon with this huge yellow-orange face," bee breeder Susan Cobey told WSU Insider. "Their stings are big and painful, with a potent neurotoxin. Multiple stings can kill humans, even if they are not allergic," WSU warned.
Their life cycle begins in April after the queens emerge from hibernation. They then seek underground dens to build their nests in. "Once established, colonies grow and send out workers to find food and prey," researchers say.
Yeah, this isn’t great news. Between the emergence of the world’s largest hornet in the U.S. and Drake’s new dud of a mixtape, it’s been a disappointing past couple of days.
These things really do look like something out of a Stephen King horror film.