​Venom so strong it can devour human flesh and even kill a person who isn’t treated properly: this isn’t a fictional creation developed for thriller movies. No, this is the largest known hornet species in the world. Native to the mountains of Japan, the Asian giant hornets, also called “yak-killer” hornets, are known to take the lives of over 40 people a year. A sting from one of these thumb-sized beasts is notorious for causing excruciating pain described by victim Masato Ono as similar to “a hot nail being stabbed through the flesh”.

While these deadly insects typically don’t attack people, they are naturally suited for battle. An adult male hornet reaches about two inches in length with a three inch wingspan. The toxic stinger reaches a terrifying quarter-inch in length. Amazingly, a hornet predator can travel up to 60 miles at a steady 25 mile per hour pace.

People are relatively safe from masses of hornet attacks in Japan; however European honeybees are alien to the region and ill-equipped for battle with such rivals. Hornets, five times the size of the average honeybee, have been known to massacre whole hives of bees and take their honey. However, bees aren’t the only target. Giant hornets have been observed killing many different insects, even Praying Mantises.

The hornets are occasionally spotted close outside of Tokyo and other major cities but are more commonly found in the country’s remote areas. Native neighbors to the hornets, Japan’s mountain villagers respect the creatures’ natural role in the environment and also regularly value the nutritional value of deep fried Asian giant hornets.