Asian Giant Hornet “Murder Hornet”?
Gigantic hornet species (Vespa mandarinia), up to
2 inches long and queen reaching 3-inch size, can scare anyone with its size,
vast venom store and ability to sting multiple times. Mostly found in the
eastern Asian countries, giving it the name of “Asian Giant Hornet”, has
recently been sighted in Metro Vancouver BC and across the border in Washington
State USA, creating a shiver in farmers and bee keepers. It starts breeding in
April and is most active in late summer and early autumn. It viciously attacks honeybees,
using its large mendable it can decapitate the honeybees and feed the thorax to
its larvae. This worrisome predator has the ability to destroy whole honey bee
hives. Honeybees are excellent pollinators, vital for agricultural crop
production and economy. Around 90 % of crop production in North America is the
result of honeybee pollinations, billion of which are provided by the honeybee
keepers to farmers. Decline in number of pollinators would result in reduced
crop production. No doubt any imbalance in the ecology is of grave concern to
farmers of Metro Vancouver with its devastating economic consequences. The idea
is to “nip the evil in the bud”, do not let these ‘Murder Hornets’ entrench and
ruin economy.
Asian giant hornet does not live or build nest on trees;
whereas, these build nest in burrows. If you ever come across one at your
residence or farm, don’t be a Super Hero and try to tackle,
rather leave it alone. These hornets seldom attack human, pets or animals.
However, if they feel threatened, they wont spare. Due to the body shape and
the amount of venom they carry, can sting up-to 7 times in one go. There are
suggestions that Asian Giant Hornets have longer stinger with the ability to
pierce through the honeybee keeper’s standard protective gear. The multiple
sting containing neurotoxin can cause death in human whether allergic or not
allergic. Every year dozens of deaths have been reported from Japan and China
but not any so far from North America.
Read
more- https://www.advancepest.ca/
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