How Honey Buzzards Outsmart the Deadly Asian Giant Hornet

Asian giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia) are the largest social wasp in the world and have been given the dramatic name of ‘murder hornet’ in the media due to their ability to raid beehives and kill the occupants. It is native to parts of Asia, including southern China, northern India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, and a part of eastern Russia, where it lives in temperate and subtropical lowland forests. The Asian giant hornet has already established itself as an invasive species in parts of Europe, raising concerns about its impact on local ecosystems. It has a powerful sting, and most animals keep away from it, but the honey buzzard has other ideas. In this fascinating video, you see honey buzzards repeatedly attacking an Asian giant hornet nest, but they do not get stung. Let’s explore what honey buzzards seek in hornet nests, why they do not get stung, and how they could help control invasive hornet populations.

The Asian Giant Hornet’s Dangerous Sting

This is a social species that lives in colonies. Workers can measure 1 to 1.5 inches long, while queens can reach 2 inches. Their wingspans can reach 3 inches. Only females have stingers, which can be a quarter of an inch long. It is not an exaggeration to describe their sting as deadly. It has been compared to that of velvet ants, which have some of the most painful stings on Earth. In Japan, fatalities have been recorded, most often from anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest. The dangers arise from the large quantity of venom that giant hornets inject through multiple stings, rather than just the potency of the venom itself. That said, these wasps do not seek out trouble and deliver most stings when defending their nests. Each year, a queen starts a new nest, where she raises a brood of female workers. The nest contains chambers with developing larvae, which can provide a nutritious meal for any animal brave enough to access them.

Honey Buzzard Protection

There are several species of honey buzzards that belong to the Accipitridae family of birds. They are medium-sized raptors that feed mainly on wasp and bee larvae. Despite their name, honey buzzards are not interested in honey. These birds have a number of features that prevent them from getting stung. Their legs and feet have thick scales that stingers cannot penetrate. Their plumage is dense and tightly packed, acting like armor. They have a protective layer over their eyes and may even have a chemical deterrent on their feathers to ward off attacks.

Tackling Invasive Species

Giant Asian hornets have already established themselves as an invasive species in parts of Europe, similar to the spread of other hornet species. They threaten native biodiversity and human agriculture in Europe by preying on bee populations that pollinate crops. We know that the crested honey buzzard preys on Asian hornets in their native range. Observations from Spain suggest that the European honey buzzard is attacking giant Asian hornet nests and eating the larvae. This raises the possibility of these birds acting as potential biocontrol agents for this invasive species.

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