Suzumebachi: the World's Largest Hornet

Vespa mandarinia

JARED: I saw this suzumebachi (Asian Giant Hornet) near the high school in our village. It was about 3 and a half centimeters long. I've seen bigger ones, but this one was still scary. Everett and I stood back while our mom took pictures of it. Suzumebachi are dangerous. Every year there are people who die from their stings. But I think it was weakened by something, because it didn't attack like suzumebachi normally do. Right now there are a lot of these insects flying around. One hit our windshield when we were driving, and it didn't even get hurt--it just flew away. I rate this insect 4 legs out of 6.

EVERETT: It looks like an Oosuzumebachi (Great Asian Giant Hornet). It looks like he's mad, so we have to stay away. It's abunai (dangerous) because it bites. His antennas look like tsuno (horns). I like it!

If you haven't seen it yet, view National Geographic's "Hornet's from Hell" documentary video about these amazing insects.

For other posts on this species of insect, visit here and here.