Hornets Have Killed 19 People and Injured Nearly 600 in China Since Early July

Posted on September 29, 2013

Hornets have killed nineteen people and injured nearly 600 in attacks in China since early July. The Asian giant hornet is suspected in the attacks. This large species of hornet has a 2-inch (50 mm) body length and a 3-inch (76 mm) wingspan. Its stinger is about .25 inches (6 mm) long.

The Guardian reports that people say the relentless hornets chased them for hundreds of meters. Stings from the hornets can cause anaphylactic shock and renal failure in some people. CNN reports that the sting from the large hornet can dissolve human tissue, which may explain why some of the wounds on people's arms and backs look large and painful. Take a look:

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