The outbreak of the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) was detected in July and the attacks continued even after local authorities intervened destroying hundreds of beehives and providing medical treatment to victims.
"The problem with this species is that it is very large, about the size of a thumb, and contains a lot of poison," said Lynn Kimsey entomologist, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology.
"Their nests therefore usually also great, with several hundred hornets. Are aggressive and predatory, and is known to have wiped out entire colonies of bees, "he says.
This species, between 4 and 5 centimeters, tend to live in areas of East and Southeast Asia, and is well known in Japan. According Kimsey, it is one of the most dangerous poisonous insects in the world, along with the African bee.
Passion for bees
Although they do not usually attack humans, the Hornets are known to end up in the blink of an eye with thousands of bees hives.
These hornets often travel kilometers from their nests to locate a hive of bees, which mark a special pheromone to attract mates. The attackers, attracted by the smell, come to destroy and occupy the hive.
Thanks to its size, usually end with bees quickly, unless they get eliminated, they advance before they call others, which is achieved by an incredible defense mechanism: increase the temperature inside the hive, frying literally at your enemy.
However, bees and other insects are often easy victims. Adults chew their meat to form a nutritious paste. The larvae, which in turn produce saliva serves as "energy drink" to adults, who can not digest solid protein feed.
Why attack humans?
However, experts do not agree on the
reasons for attacking humans.
Huang Rongyao, the Forestry Bureau Ankang, said the increase in local vegetation has favored the increase of the population of hornets. In addition, the high temperatures have become more active.
Hua Baozhen, an entomologist at the Agricultural University and Northwest China Forestry, cited the reason for the gradual disappearance of natural enemies of insects, such as spiders or birds, while other experts attribute it to urban sprawl.
Kimsey clarifies that this type of behavior is usually observed in invasive species, although not known how long the hornet in the area or if originating from the region.
"When a new species is introduced, it often goes unnoticed a few years, until suddenly it seems like nothing else. This is what happened in California, where 20 years ago the cartonera wasp, which is now everywhere "was introduced.
If the Hornets are natives of that region, according to Kimsey, it is likely that the weather has played a significant role in their proliferation. "If the winter has been very cold, the queens have survived, so now there will be more nests than normal."
Something similar already happened in the United States, when in California increased dramatically the number of yellow wasps due to warmer than normal weather.
Mating season
Moreover, autumn is the breeding
season for the Hornets, which may become more aggressive to them. "Especially towards the end, which is the phase where we are now," adds Kimsey.
When a queen has been fertilized, it is normal that the nest is prepared to close with the arrival of cold, and workers die while the queen looks for a place to spend the winter.
According to Xinhua, this usually happens in December, although it is expected to drop before the attacks, perhaps by the end of the month.
Deadly attacks
Experts warn that, in the meantime, it is safer to stay away from the Hornets, something that is not easy.
The nests are usually underground or even buildings, so it is difficult to avoid. If they are upset, or just passes by, they can attack and cause serious damage. In September an unprovoked attack at a school in southern China was recorded, resulting in 30 wounded, almost all hospitalized with multiple bites.
Kimsey warns that one must be very careful, because their bites can be just as deadly as those of the African bee.
"Even if you have allergies, you can suffer kidney failure and need dialysis to survive," he says. He adds: "It is likely that deaths have occurrs if there is no adequate treatment for victims, as it is normal that doctors do not know how to deal with the problem."
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