Originally published on September 27, 2013
More than two dozen people have been killed in attacks by Asian Giant Hornets in China, officials say. Meanwhile, hundreds have also been injured after being stung by the insect. The attacks have mostly taken place in remote areas of cities in southern Shaanxi Province.
This animation explains the effects of a sting by an Asian Giant Hornet.
Asian Giant Hornets grow between 2.6 and 4.5 cm long, with their stingers measuring a little under 1 cm long. As their stingers do not have barbs, they remain attached to their body with the hornets attack, allowing them to sting the same victim multiple times. The hornets are fast, and are able to travel up to almost 100 km at 40 kph, much faster than the average person's running speed
A highly toxic venom is injected when an Asian Giant Hornet stings, releasing eight different chemicals into the victim's body. Each chemical serves a different purpose, and can cause tissue degeneration, anaphylactic shock and renal failure.
Chinese officials say they have removed more than 300 hornet nests from residential areas in affected areas since July. A director of the Ankang Disease Control Center said swarms of the flying bugs are common in the area every fall.
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