Living With Asian Giant Hornet

Asian Giant Hornet Sting Induced Necrosis
Image: LiveLeak screen-shot

The Asian Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia, (aka the “Yak-Killer Hornet) is found in China and Japan where it is responsible for dozens of deaths each year. One or two stings are typically not fatal, but people who receive dozens of stings often die without medical treatment. The primary cause of death is renal failure due to the venom.

Some who are stung develop necrotic lesions around the sting, that can lead to scarring. The sting is painful and compared to having a “hot nail driven into the leg”. Nests that are in areas with high human traffic should be eliminated. This can prove difficult if the nest is many meters above ground in the tree tops.