Killer hornets sting at least 19 people to death in China

[T-post Tom]

Hong Kong (CNN) -- At least 19 people have been stung to death by hornets -- which may include the world's largest hornet species Vespa mandarinia -- in China's central Shaanxi province in the last three months, according to the city government of Ankang, the apparent epicenter of a recent spate of fatalities and injuries.

A total of 583 people in the area have been stung by hornets since July 1, say city officials. Seventy victims are still recovering in hospitals.

Chen Changlin was hospitalized after being attacked by hornets, while harvesting rice last week.

"I ran and shouted for help, but the hornets chased me about 200 meters, and stung me for more than 3 minutes," he recounted to the state-run China Youth Daily.

Chen said hornets had first swarmed a woman and child working nearby, who then ran towards him. Both later died from the hornets' toxins.

"The more you run, the more they want to chase you," said another victim, whose kidneys were ravaged by the venom. When he was admitted to the hospital, his urine was the color of soy sauce, according to local reports.

Earlier this month, 30 people -- including 23 primary school children aged between six and eight years -- were injured in a hornet attack in Guangxi province, south of Shaanxi. Their teacher, Li Zhiqiang, told his students to hide under tables as he tried to drive away the insects before he lost consciousness. The school's headmaster told local media that most of the injured suffered stings to their heads, necks, hands and feet.

Nearly 60 students and teachers were injured in a separate incident in the province at the start of the month, according to state media.

Experts say a number of reasons may have contributed to the apparent increase in hornet activity, including the region's recent hot, dry weather, land development and hornet sensitivity to the smell of people.

The Asian killer hornet, which is suspected in these incidents, are formidable, carnivorous killers, according to the non-profit Honeybee Conservancy. The species feed their young with the larvae of other insects and use their talons and mandibles to sever the limbs and heads of their prey. The hornet's venom sting is a neurotoxin so powerful that it dissolves human tissue, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

This week's latest incidents spurred the Ankang city government to hold an emergency video call addressing local concerns. Vice Mayor Lu Qi said he would increase investment in regional hornet control. Mayor Xu Qifang added the city would establish a 24-hour emergency hornet response team.


http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/27/world/...html?hpt=hp_t3

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

The hornet's venom sting is a neurotoxin so powerful that it dissolves human tissue, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

I wonder if you could get really high on that hornet venom.

[T-post Tom]

Originally Posted by cdcox

I wonder if you could get really high on that hornet venom.

cross-thread humor FTW. rep.

[Baby Lee]

"When he was admitted to the hospital, his urine was the color of soy sauce"

[rico]

19 people....if there weren't so ****ing many of them, I'd say that China really took one on the chin there.

[Simply Red]

the lord works in mysterious ways.

[booger]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

the lord works in mysterious ways.

I like the way you twerk it











No diggity

[TheSourceX1]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

"When he was admitted to the hospital, his urine was the color of soy sauce"

[rico]

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

Earlier this month, 30 people -- including 23 primary school children aged between six and eight years -- were injured in a hornet attack in Guangxi province, south of Shaanxi. Their teacher, Li Zhiqiang, told his students to hide under tables as he tried to drive away the insects before he lost consciousness. The school's headmaster told local media that most of the injured suffered stings to their heads, necks, hands and feet.

Nearly 60 students and teachers were injured in a separate incident in the province at the start of the month, according to state media.


http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/27/world/...html?hpt=hp_t3

Sounds like these hornets have beef with the enormous population in China and are attempting to prevent the population from growing by all means possible...even if that means they have to resort to attacking the youth in Asia.

[Simply Red]

welcome back rico

[rico]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

welcome back rico

Wussup, SR!

[Fish]

Giant Asian Hornets are ****ing brutal. Like nightmare level.

Wanna see some carnage?



Almost makes you sad... Giant hornets can kill 40 honey bees per minute. Literally decapitating them with one bite or just chopping them in half with their huge jaws.

Nature is brutal... and enemy offspring are delicious.......

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by rico

Wussup, SR!

You're a vessel for my truth, aren't you?

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Fish

Giant Asian Hornets are ****ing brutal. Like nightmare level.

Wanna see some carnage?

Nature is brutal... and enemy offspring are delicious.......

One weeps to consider the amount of water wasted in this ignominious battle.

[dannybcaitlyn]

Originally Posted by Fish

Giant Asian Hornets are ****ing brutal. Like nightmare level.

Wanna see some carnage?



Almost makes you sad... Giant hornets can kill 40 honey bees per minute. Literally decapitating them with one bite or just chopping them in half with their huge jaws.

Nature is brutal... and enemy offspring are delicious.......

Yes, Seen them once on some TV program. They are some bad mofo's. Glad they are not over here. (Yet)