Coming ‘murder hornet’ invasion horrifies US, but others say the bugs are delicious
THE massive wasp, which kills around 50 people in Asia every year, has people in the United States horrified about a potential invasion.
Despite their frightening exterior, foodies in Japan enjoy eating the "murder hornets"; and adding them to liquor.
As fears grow of the orange and black striped insect - which has a body of over two inches long, making them the world's larges hornets - people still choose to eat the deadly hornets.
In Japan's central Chubu region the hornets are considered as a delicacy - and are commonly pan-friend or steam with rice, according to the
When the adult hornets are fried on on skewers - along with the venomous stinger - they reportedly become "light and crunchy."
The creepy-looking hornets, which are usually preserved in jars when they aren't being cooked, give off a "warming, tingling sensation when eaten," according to the report.
When served with rice, the dish is called hebo-gohan.
Sometimes, the bugs are submerged in a clear distilled beverage called shochu - to add flavor to liquor.
The "murder hornets", which are considered a cheap source of protein, are also enjoyed annually at the Kushihara Hebo Matsuri festival.
Wasp-based dishes are a staple of the November tradition in the village of Kushihara in Gifu.
Joseph Yoon, the found of Brooklyn Bugs, told the : "People have compared it to a popcorn-y flavor without the butter.
“Depending on how you prepare it, it can have different flavors.”
Even the marinated larvae is said to make a tasty treat as it can soak up the flavors in any liquid it's placed in, according to independent chef Yoon.
He told the Post: “There couldn’t be a better time to talk about edible insects than during a pandemic.
“We’re talking about something that’s endorsed by the United Nations for nutrition and sustainability."
Regardless of some people's exploratory taste buds - scientists are quickly looking to wipe out giant "Murder Hornets" that have found their way into North America.
In late 2019, two hornets were
Although there have not been reported sightings anywhere else, researchers at the (WDSA) are trying to stop Asian Giant Hornets from nesting and breeding in Canada and Washington.
The insects have a large stinger filled with venom that contains a neurotoxin, which is capable of causing both cardiac arrest and anaphylactic shock.
The hornet has a body length of 2 inches and a wingspan around 3 inches.
The stinger is .24 inches long and injects a large amount of potent venom.
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Native to the forests and low mountains of Southeast Asia and Japan, Asian Giant Hornets have been dubbed the "Murder Hornet" because it's known to kill people.
Multiple stings can kill humans - even if they're not allergic, according to WSU.