One bee's natural defense againt the 'murder hornets'

4 years ago
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Researchers have reportedly discovered that one type of honeybee has an interesting defense against the Giant Asian hornet: they cook them.
Bees in Japan have been known to form a ball around the invader and vibrate to produce heat, which can essentially cook a hornet to death, according to the New York Times. The report said bees can survive in extreme temperatures and can kill a hornet in an hour.
The so-called “murder hornets” – which also are blamed for killing 50 people a year in Japan – have been spotted in Washington state. According to reports, they can rip through a hive and kill a bee every 14 seconds.
European honeybee – which are common in the U.S. – try to sting the hornet, which proves futile due to their tough exoskeleton. A researcher told the paper that the Japanese honeybee learned to adapt through generations.
 

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