The Giant Asian Hornet ....................................

The Asian, or Japanese hornet is the largest and most fearsome hornet in the world. It can be as big as 45 mm long (that's almost 2 inches), and its stinger is over 6 mm in length (a quarter of an inch!).

The venom from this hornet contains an enzyme which will dissolve bone and tissue, and can be fatal if the person stung is small, or has an allergic reaction. More than 40 people are killed each year by stings from this hornet. Those who have been stung and lived have described its sting as excrutiatingly painful.

The Asian giant hornet can be found in Eastern Asia, including the mountains of Japan. This hornet is not only large, but looks unusual; its head is orange, and wider in proportion to its body than other hornets. Its wingspan is up to three inches, and it makes a dull low (but loud) sound when flying.

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