Stings Aren’t What They Used To Bee!
GIANT killer hornets could be nesting in Times Territory.
Wildlife enthusiast David Read was standing in his garden on Sloansway, WGC, last weekend when he came face to face with a two-inch long insect.
And he reckons his description of the beast exactly matches that of the deadly Asian giant hornet - a species which is responsible for around 40 deaths a year in its native Japan.
David said that according to a recent documentary the vicious insects are on the verge of invading the UK after being brought to Europe in crates of Chinese pottery in 2004.
Describing his encounter he said: "I was just leaning on the wall in my garden when I heard a really loud buzzing behind me.
"Before I had the chance to turn around it was hovering right in front of me looking for insects to eat.
"I froze for a second then slowly started backing away. Then it buzzed off."
David said he had never seen an insect like it before, despite spending most of his life living in the countryside.
"I just hope it isn't one of them," he said. "But the one I saw definitely wasn't English or European.
"They're really dangerous. Apparently if one stings you it gives off a scent that makes all the other ones swarm in. It's merciless."
We asked Welwyn Hatfield Council if anyone else had seen one of the killer hornets. A spokeswoman said they had received no reports but urged people to call if they spotted one.
The Asian giant hornet...
- Is around two inches long and has a three-inch wing span.
- It has a quarter-of-an-inch long stinger that pumps out venom that can dissolve human tissue.
- A sting is reported to feel like having "a hot nail driven through the leg".
- Anyone stung by a giant hornet could die if they don't receive proper medical treatment.
- The hornets feed on large insects such as bees, other hornets and preying mantises.
- One hornet can kill 40 European honeybees a minute. A handful can lay waste to a 30,000 hive in hours, leaving a trail of severed heads and limbs.
- The monsters have already devastated bee populations in huge areas of France.
National Geographic: 5th June 2007
