GIANT HORNETS ARE KILLING THE CHINESE IN CERTAIN PROVINCES, BUT WHY? 42 PEOPLE HAVE DIED SO FAR.

 

 The recent spate of attacks from giant hornets, common in some parts of China, are raising concerns from Chinese authorities.  

The most important question is why these giant insects have suddenly turned so dangerous.  They are ubiquitous in certain part of Asia and Japan, and although known to be dangerous, they are not usually so if they are unprovoked.  That is usually because they nest far away from human environments.

This summer however, the giant hornets seem to have changed tack and scientists need to know why. 

42 people have been killed so far, and many more hospitalized from giant hornet attacks. As many as 1,640 people have been severely attacked and 206 remain hospitalized. 

Scientists think that certain changes in the developed areas, including air conditioning, rich landscaping and development in previously rural areas are setting the giant hornets on the move.  The close contact spells trouble.  The giant hornets, when nesting, do not allow anyone to come close or even disturb their habitat.  

 

But another factor might be to blame.  The giant hornets, just like humans, are sensitive to heat.  The summer in China has been brutal, and not only in China but also in neighboring countries and Japan.  The insects seek relief from the scorching heat in cooled places, which happen to be where people live.  

Global warming has affected a number of invasive dangerous pests.  Giant hornets are on the move, and could prove to be a daunting problem. 

In addition to climatic and environmental factors, the giant hornets have keener sensibilities than most insects.  The whole miasma of human sweat, alcohol, perfume, bright colours and other enticements all play a role in attracting the insect to humans.  

The other problem, also due to environmental changes, is that with urban development, the number of spiders and birds has diminished.  These are the only two predators of the giant hornets.  Without them, the population of the large insects could explode. 

The other problem is that they have hives that contain thousands of insects.  If one of the hives is disturbed or even threatened by human presence, the whole hive will attack, making survival a very precarious thing. 

Chinese authorities have set apart a million dollars for a program to identify hornet nests and raise public awareness in the worse hit province. 

Source : France 24/ 10.3.13