A hidden honest nest nearly the size of a basketball under the dense leaves was discovered by my 7-year-old daughter this evening in front of my house by the jogging path.
- Hornet nest almost the size of basketball, photo taken just before torching fire.
- The nest was torched to burning by our guards
- The nest fell after few minutes of fire
- Hornet larvae found from the burned down nest
From my observation, the hornet has 2 orange bands covering the first and second segment of its abdomen while the rest of the abdomen is black. It has been identified as The Lesser Banded Hornet or Vespa affinis (黄腰虎头蜂) (Tebuan Tanah) According to literature findings this is the most aggressive of the three species of hornets found in Singapore & Malaysia. It will attack with the slightest provocation in large numbers and give chase over longer distance and its sting is painful. The effect of the poison injected with the sting depends on the species and how sensitive the victim is to the poison. Response can be localized pain, swelling and redness. In more serious cases chest constriction, wheezing and vomiting may occur. Immediate medical attention is advisable.
For the safety of my children and all PP8A joggers, I decided to burn down the hornet nest on that same night without hesitation. (see pictures above)
http://www.msptm.org/files/81_-_82_A_fatal_case.pdf
“It is also advisable that those, especially in close contact with these insects be educated on the danger of hornet sting and preventive measures to be undertaken.”
Lee, H.L., Krishnasamy, M. and Jeffery, J *Unit of Medical Entomology / IDRC, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.*Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
虎头蜂螫死人敲响警钟‧多认识多瞭解‧学习与蜂共处
http://forum.sosot.net/thread-64033-1-1.html
10 Jul 2013
(地里望10日讯)
4小时后毒攻心 虎头蜂螫死人
http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/438426
http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/438755
Kuching Sarawak Monday October 5, 2009
Siblings stung to death in hornet attack
http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx?file=%2f2009%2f10%2f5%2fnation%2f4842717&sec=nation
There were a few mini bee nests built at the car porch area of my house. Had to get rid of these for safety reason. But my neighbor had a bigger nest built below his air-cond compressor but luckily he get rid of it too. There was also a small nest built at the TM poll behind our houses and the TM staff was stung, how unlucky. Maybe like Kuo Sin said, our Taman is full of flowers attracting these bees to our Taman.
This is not honey bee….. no joking, it is the most deadly tropical Asia Lesser Banded Hornet.
This hornet is the most aggressive of the social hornets in Malaysia. It will attack in swarms at the slightest provocation. It builds its nests close to human dwellings.
Case report
A 11 years old boy attacked and stung by the lesser banded hornet was brought for treatment after some delay. He was found in severe anaphylactic shock. Although standard treatment was administered, death however, ensused. Over the years reports of hornet attack causing death have appeared in the local news media. One case illustrating this was that of a boy (a standard 4 pupil) who was attacked by the lesser banded hornet in Marang, Kuala Terengganu. He died the same day although was given appropriate treatment.
(New Straits Time,1/10/1986).
OMG, where is it? I have not seen that while jogging around. May be the hornet attracted by your flowers~~~ ^_^