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2020 has been an absolutely abysmal year for everyone due to the global health crisis but to make matters worse we’re now we’re learning that deadly giant hornets from Asia that measure up to 2 inches long have been found for the first time in the United States.
Asian giant hornets, nicknamed “murder hornets,” have mandibles shaped like spiked shark fins to decapitate honeybees. Their venom and stingers have been likened to hot metal driving into skin. And now, for the first time, they have arrived in the U.S. https://t.co/q3YWAJ7ql0
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 2, 2020
Via NY Times.
With queens that can grow to two inches long, Asian giant hornets can use mandibles shaped like spiked shark fins to wipe out a honeybee hive in a matter of hours, decapitating the bees and flying away with the thoraxes to feed their young. For larger targets, the hornet’s potent venom and stinger — long enough to puncture a beekeeping suit — make for an excruciating combination that victims have likened to hot metal driving into their skin.
In Japan, the hornets kill up to 50 people a year. Now, for the first time, they have arrived in the United States.
Researchers are determined to keep track down the hornets to keep in them in check or else they can decimate bee populations in the country.
Two of the predatory insects were discovered last fall in the northwest corner of Washington State, a few miles north of his property — the first sightings in the United States.
Scientists have since embarked on a full-scale hunt for the hornets, worried that the invaders could decimate bee populations in the United States and establish such a deep presence that all hope for eradication could be lost.
Considering everything we’re currently going through at the moment the Internet was not pleased to learn about the murder hornet.
https://twitter.com/BrianMFloyd/status/1256601742617149440
Murder hornets. Sure thing, 2020. Give us everything. Hypno-frogs. Fecal blizzards. Toilet tsunamis. A CATS sequel. We can take it. https://t.co/DSDpgKhKzQ
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 2, 2020
in hindsight, giant, murderous hornets was the next logical plot line https://t.co/BCLxvWqbiA
— adam harris (@AdamHSays) May 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/MollyJongFast/status/1256626638718210054
2020 is like the 4th sequel to a superhero franchise a studio quickly releases before losing the rights https://t.co/kvEtDhTHms
— Matt Oswalt (@MattOswaltVA) May 2, 2020
No one:
2020: Release the MURDER HORNETS. https://t.co/64Mi3q8POS
— Alma Har'el🌪 עלמה (@Almaharel) May 2, 2020
Okay, who had Kobe dying, a deadly virus that forces us all into isolation, a nationwide obsession with redneck tiger breeders and murder hornets on their vision boards for 2020?
— Meredith (@meralee727) May 2, 2020
honestly why not murder hornets at this point pic.twitter.com/gKrY5Kykyz
— soul nate (@MNateShyamalan) May 2, 2020