Murder Hornet Update: Man In Spain Dies After Insect Stung Him On Eyebrow

A man from Villestro in Galicia, Spain, died after an Asian giant hornet, also known as “murder hornet,” stung him in the eyebrow. This happened while the man was tending to a wasp nest near a beehive he owns. Asian giant hornets recently gained prominence after they were seen in some areas in the United States, and reports of their murderous ways were featured on social media.

Spotted In Some U.S. States

The deadly Asian insects were reportedly seen in Washington State early this month. Reportedly the world’s biggest hornet, it can grow up to two inches long and have been known to decimate entire bee colonies in a few hours. The huge bugs can decapitate thousands of honeybees in a single strike and take out their thoraxes to feed the wasp’s young. This presents a huge headache for beehive owners in the United States because of the dwindling honeybee population.

As if annihilating the entire beehive population is not enough, murder hornets have also been causing the deaths of up to 50 people in Japan annually, The New York Times reported. This information has created a national panic already plagued by the coronavirus pandemic. According to experts, the sightings of murder hornets in the U.S. could also cause damage to essential insect populations. “Millions and millions of innocent native insects are going to die as a result of this,” Dr. Doug Yanega told the Los Angeles Times.

Trapping The Hornets

After sightings of the murder hornets were reported on May 2, instructions were issued by the Washington State Department of Agriculture on how to trap the murderous wasps. State officials say that so far, these huge insects have been sighted only within the state. The instructions also included a warning, asking those who live outside the state not to trap the Asian Giant Hornets.

Some bug experts, however, treat these murder hornet sightings as “hype.” In an interview with The Associated Press, they recalled a similar public scare in the 70s when African honeybees, also known as “killer bees” were sighted in the U.S. While the more aggressive honeybees made it to Texas and in the Southwest, they did not live up to the horror-laden moniker.

A Bee Concern

Concern for bees came about because of their role in the ecosystem. The U.S. Geological Survey said that bees are responsible for the pollination of around 75% of nuts, vegetables, and fruits are grown in the country.

For Dr. Doug Yanega, the presence of murder hornets in the United States should not be hyped. He said that Asians have lived side by side with them for hundreds of years, and the wasps did not cause the collapse of human society in those parts.

“My colleagues in Japan, China, and Korea are just rolling their eyes in disbelief at what kind of snowflakes we are,” Dr. Yanega added.