Going Alone

The Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is the world’s largest and the most dangerous animal in Japan. These insects are called suzumebachi (sparrow bee) in Japanese and are a common sight during summer months from the high mountains to the forested edges of large cities throughout the country. The insects make their living hunting other insects and specialize in attacking honeybee colonies where they will kill all of the bees and consume the larvae. The native honeybees of

I shot this video last year after discovering a nest of yellow giant hornets in the hollow of an enormous wild cherry tree. While I set up my camera and tripod an old farmer working in a nearby field stopped his work to come see what I was doing. As he walked towards me to chat I warned him there were giant hornets in the tree. He stopped dead in his tracks and would not approach closer. Japanese farmers have a healthy and hard-won respect for these dangerous animals and I fe

***WARNING: THIS VIDEO IS VERY GRAPHIC AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. ADULT SUPERVISION IS ADVISED.*** The Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is the world’s largest and the most dangerous animal in Japan. These insects are called suzumebachi (sparrow bee) in Japanese and are a common sight during summer months from the high mountains to the forested edges of large cities throughout the country. The insects make their living hunting other insects and specialize

While walking this morning I found a woods with this sign posted at the entrance. True to form I was chased (but not caught) twice! Fun times! The Japanese Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica) is the world’s largest and the most dangerous animal in Japan. These insects are called Oo-suzumebachi (sparrow bee) in Japanese and are a common sight during summer months from the high mountains to the forested edges of large cities throughout the country. The insects make their l

The Japanese Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica) is the world’s largest and the most dangerous animal in Japan. These insects are called Oo-suzumebachi (sparrow bee) in Japanese and are a common sight during summer months from the high mountains to the forested edges of large cities throughout the country. The insects make their living hunting other insects and specialize in attacking honeybee colonies where they will kill all of the bees and consume the larvae. The nati

Hornet season is off to a great start in central Japan! Here’s a shot I got yesterday as I moved in for a close-up of a newly established hive. Don’t try this at home kids as these killers can fly much faster than you can run! The Japanese Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica) is the world’s largest and the most dangerous animal in Japan. These insects are called Oo-suzumebachi (sparrow bee) in Japanese and are a common sight during summer months from the high mountains t