Asian Giant Hornet

insects · predators · Asia

Massive and fearsome. The Asian giant hornet is the world's largest hornet, with a body so big it can be as long as your thumb. It hunts other insects and can take down entire honeybee colonies.

Dangerously venomous. Its sting is loaded with powerful venom that can destroy tissue and cause serious harm to humans. In some years, it kills more people in Japan than any other animal.

Native to East Asia. These giant hornets live in temperate and tropical regions across East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Russia. They build paper-like nests in trees and cliffs.

American invasion attempted. Starting in late 2019, a few Asian giant hornets showed up in Washington State and British Columbia. By December 2024, experts had successfully tracked and eradicated them all.

Expert hunters. These hornets are ambush predators that can fly at high speeds to catch and kill other insects. They use their large mandibles to chew up their prey.