Pestilence? Murder Hornet

[Debp]

The Asian Murder Hornet which can get over two inches long has now been discovered in Washington state on the West Coast.    They think it came down from Canada, perhaps transported via shipping containers.

These hornets kill entire hives of honey bees and other bees.   They can destroy a hive in a couple of hours, decapitating the bees.

Since bees pollinate our crops besides producing honey, couldn't these hornets be a form of pestilence in the last days?

We in California already have the Killer Bees.   Hopefully these Murder Hornets won't make their way here.   When I was a child I read about the Killer Bees which escaped in South America, and were traveling Northward....it sounded like a sci-fi movie.   

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/us/asian-giant-hornet-washington.html

[shortangel]

yikes I know this is scary I've never heard of these bugs until last night,   these things can sting multiple times & be deadly if they sting you,  you have to go to the hospital or urgent care right away

[Debp]

20 minutes ago, shortangel said:

yikes I know this is scary I've never heard of these bugs until last night,   these things can sting multiple times & be deadly if they sting you,  you have to go to the hospital or urgent care right away

I had a bee sting last week....first sting ever for me!   It really lasted a couple of hours, the sensation....and it was just a small bee.   Sure wouldn't want to meet the Murder Hornet!   Once in a while I see a Yellow Jacket....they are scary enough!

[OneLight]

These hornets are from Japan and have been there for years.  The Japaneses honey bees have developed a defense against them.  They lure the scout hornet into the hive.  Once the hornet attacks and kills a honey bee, the hive jumps on the hornet and begins to vibrate.  The heat from their vibration kills the hornet in about an hour.  Once the scout hornet is dead, their location is safe for a while longer.  All this can be found on the internet.

As for stinging us, their stinger is so long and strong it can penetrate a beekeepers suit.  If you look at a closeup of their face, they sure do look mean!

https://allthatsinteresting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/asian-giant-hornet.jpg

 

[Alive]

5 minutes ago, DustyRoad said:

Their venom is necrotic, meaning it destroys tissue. For reference, the brown recluse spider also has a necrotic venom. 

I didn't no that--thanks. The Brown Recluse bite is a nasty one. A friend lost a chunk of flesh from his leg.

[1to3]

Hmmm interesting...

The covid-19 coming from Asia into Canada/USA in and around end of 2019

The Asian giant hornet typically lives in countries like Japan and China, now since late 2019 it had been reported in Canada/USA.

Coincidence?

[shortangel]

preety scary stuff :(

[Blood Bought 1953]

I have been stung by many wasps and bumble bees over the years ......several years ago I was stung by two Hornets......a whole different ball game!  It did not really “ sting” that much.....It was like getting hit by a ball bat! Oh, the humanity.......lol.....

 

[Omegaman 3.0]

There were bees, in Africa. There were European honey bees. Turns out you can cross them. The result, is Africanized honey bees. When they get to the U.S. the get called Killer Bees! Thanks media, for terrorizing my children. There are giant Asian hornets. They get to the U.S. and they become Murder Hornets! It might end up being Trump's fault, eventually, they'll figure that out eventually. Getting hornets to practice social distancing, could be difficult!

[missmuffet]

2 hours ago, Omegaman 3.0 said:

There were bees, in Africa. There were European honey bees. Turns out you can cross them. The result, is Africanized honey bees. When they get to the U.S. the get called Killer Bees! Thanks media, for terrorizing my children. There are giant Asian hornets. They get to the U.S. and they become Murder Hornets! It might end up being Trump's fault, eventually, they'll figure that out eventually. Getting hornets to practice social distancing, could be difficult!

OH NO!!! I do not see any social distancing or do I see them wearing masks. 

Edited May 6, 2020 by missmuffet