Reassurance over fears of killer hornet in Hastings
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Richard Vallery, of Ashburnham Road, told the Observer he spotted the wasp on Monday (May 25) at his house.
He said: “These nasty creatures not only destroy bee colonies which are vital to our countryside, but their venom can dissolve human flesh and bone, and in some cases, kill.
“Six people died from the sting venom in France last year.
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Hide Ad“The warm weather may bring more across the Channel as they can fly more than 40 miles a day.
“They look like an ordinary wasp but can be up to three inches long.
“Their sting is extremely painful and can induce anaphylactic shock or even kill a small child.”
However, Dr Matthew Davies, divisional technical advisor for Killgerm, a pest control company, said this was a case of a false alarm as Mr Vallery had, in fact, found a European hornet.
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Hide AdThe main difference between a European hornet and Asian hornet is the latter is slightly smaller.
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