Asian Giant Hornet

The Asian Giant Hornet (Binomial Nomenclature/ Designation: Vespa mandarinia), oftentimes termed as the yak-killer hornet, is a species of arthropod inclusive of the Japanese Giant Hornet (Binomial Nomenclature/ Designation: Vespa mandarinia japonica). Widely acknowledged as the world’s largest hornet (Hornets are a specieal variation of wasps that exhibit eusocial characteristics, with the concept of eusociality recognized as the most intricate level of organization in the realm of social interaction within the animal kingdom. Eusociality is characterized by cooperative brood care, multigenerational caste systems exhibiting interdependency with the delegation of labor in both reproductive and non-reproductive assemblies.), Vespa mandarinia can reach lengths in excess of 2 inches (50 millimeters) and oftentimes possess wingspans of up to 3 inches (76 millimeters). The stinger, which is a venomous protrusion located at the base of the thorax, is considerably longer than those of its arthropodic counterparts, with lengths in excess of 0.24 inches (6 millimeters) not uncommon. The potency of this insects venom lies with the fact that its intrinsic components house mastoparan, a cytolytic peptide (Cytolosis is a term referencing the incidence of an osmotic imbalance at the cellular level. During the course of such an imbalance the infrastructure of the affected micro-organizational unit ruptures due to liquid influx from a process of molecular diffusion, an event that typically occurs beyond the structural periphery of the affected cell. Peptides are compact chains of amino acid monomers linked by molecular bonds.) capable of damaging tissue through the stimulation of the phospholipase enzyme. The venom of this particular species contains mandaratoxin or MDTX (A neurotoxin, defined as an extensive class of exogenous chemical neurological insults that compromise the functional integrity of the nervous system. In medical terminology insults are defined as agents of causality effecting physical or mental stability.), a single-chain polypeptide possessing a molecular weight approximation of 20,000 u (The standard accepted abbreviation for unified mass atomic units), a valued estimate exhibiting lethal properties.

 

The geographic distribution of Vespa mandarinia is centered primarily in the Primorsky Krai region of Russia, Korea (Residents of this particular country have termed these insects 장수말벌, or “commander bees”), China, Taiwan (Residents of this particular country have termed these insects 虎頭蜂, or "tiger-head bees"), Indochina, Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka, as well as rural areas of Japan (Residents of this particular country have termed these insects 大雀蜂 or オオスズメバチ, interpreted in English dialect as the giant sparrow bee).
Intensely predatory, the Asian Giant Hornet typically scours its surrounding environment for medium-to large-sized insects - decimating the neighboring colonies of honey bees, other species of hornets, and mantises.
In recent months a wide bevy of publicity surrounding the inherent potency of Asian Giant Hornet venom has been mentioned in numerous media circles, specifically through the dissemination of the following linked articles of reference: 

LINKED ARTICLES OF REFERENCE:

Death Toll From the Venom of Asian Giant Hornets in Ankang Municipality Registered at 41 in 3 Months Time
Giant Hornets Kill Dozens in China, Fluctuations Relative to Temperature Gradient Believed to be a Contributing Factor

The following cinematic reference further details the expansive influence of this particular breed: