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uncommon
Asian Giant Hornet
Vespa mandarinia
- Habitat
- Forested mountains across East and Southeast Asia
- Body length
- 50 mm
- Order
- Hymenoptera · Vespidae
Weird but real
Largest hornet on Earth. 6mm stinger delivers neurotoxin that dissolves human tissue. Can decapitate 40 honey bees per minute.
Why it's cool
Japanese honey bees coevolved one of the wildest defenses in nature: they swarm and vibrate-cook scout hornets alive inside a buzzing ball at 47°C, just barely below what kills bees.
