The Asian giant hornet has gained the alarming nickname “murder hornet” because of its imposing size and its ability to attack honeybees. The East Asian insect is described as having a wingspan about as wide as a credit card, making it stand out among hornets.
Its physical features also contribute to its fearsome reputation. The hornet has powerful mandibles capable of tearing apart honeybees, along with a stinger measuring about 6 millimeters long.
People who have been stung have compared the sensation to being stabbed by a hot needle. That description, combined with the insect’s size and bee-hunting behavior, has made the Asian giant hornet one of the most unsettling insects in public discussions.
Although the nickname is attention-grabbing, it refers to the hornet’s combination of painful sting, large body and threat to honeybees.
