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Japanese giant hornets kill 12 million bees in northern Turkey
Japanese giant hornets kill 12 million bees in northern Turkey
Japanese giant hornets have killed some 12 million bees in the northern Turkish province of Tokat. Click through for the story in photos.
Quoting a new study ordered by the Tokat Beekeepers Union, local media reported on Oct. 5 that 1,500 colonies of bees in the districts of Turhal and Almus, as well as the Yayladalı village, were targeted by the predator species.
The Japanese giant hornet is a subspecies of the world’s largest hornet, the Asian giant hornet, whose wingspan can be greater than six centimeters. As the name implies, it is endemic to the Japanese islands, and it prefers rural areas where it can find trees to nest in.
With their powerful venom, giant hornets are devastating to beehives. A giant hornet can kill and dismember 15-20 bees in one minute. Recently, they have spread in northern Turkey, becoming an increasingly difficult problem for local beekeepers.
Osman Al, a local beekeeper, told local media they detected several giant hornet hives in the area. “But we do not want to harm them,” Al said, hoping colder weather and foxes will be a natural solution.
“Foxes destroy giant hornet hives underground by digging them up,” he said.
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