T_Dog Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Last night, an hour after sunset the girlfriend and I headed down the road on the motorcycle to get a snack. In the headlights, I see an insect larger than a dragonfly but with the same kind of wing movements headed at us. (We were going about 40 kph) I started to ask if she had also seen how large the bug was when there was a scream..... Stopped the bike and got the lowdown on extreme pain from the sting right above the upper lip. Somehow the bug got behind me and went up in behind her visor. By the time we got to the hospital (15 minutes), the cheek was swollen as large as a tennis ball and she looked like a lop-sided chipmunk. Doc immediately have her an injection of antihistamine and something else and we stayed the night for observation. Pain was very intense for about two hours. Now, 18 hours later the swelling is almost gone and we are home. Am wondering what it could have been at night that was so aggressive and had such strong venom. I don't think that hornets or bees are out at night, but looking for opinions from the experts on the forum. The insect was as large as anything I have ever seen in the headlights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassienie Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 It was probably a wasp. Some are massive and hold a very nasty sting. Have been stung twice myself by these insects, PAINFUL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h90 Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Graf Dracula? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thithi Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 this one doesnt have sting. it is edible. It only comes out at night after rain or humid weather. is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaethon Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 (edited) Just working on size, the Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) gets to be about 5cm in length: http://www.muenster.org/hornissenschutz/vespa-mandarinia.htm Be afraid, be f*@&ing terrified. Edited March 28, 2009 by phaethon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahtin Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Just working on size, the Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) gets to be about 5cm in length:Be afraid, be f*@&ing terrified. Can you cook it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaethon Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Can you cook it? Actually, yes... in a way... This is how japanese honeybees defend themselves against hornet attacks on their hives. The JHB can tolerate a slightly higher temperature than the AGH, so a bunch of JHBs form a tight ball around the attacking AGH, beat their wings much as they do to heat the hive, and literally cook the AGH to death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassienie Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Can you cook it? Actually, yes... in a way... This is how japanese honeybees defend themselves against hornet attacks on their hives. The JHB can tolerate a slightly higher temperature than the AGH, so a bunch of JHBs form a tight ball around the attacking AGH, beat their wings much as they do to heat the hive, and literally cook the AGH to death. That’s brilliant. Well I never knew that. You really are an Einstein. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colino Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Just working on size, the Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) gets to be about 5cm in length: http://www.muenster.org/hornissenschutz/vespa-mandarinia.htm Be afraid, be f*@&ing terrified. Hope everything turns out ok and G/F gets better. attacked by a Vespa while riding a moped colino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_Dog Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 Phaethon, that is probably it. The doctor also suspected that by other stings being treated and by the intensity of the reaction. Hornets are always the worst as I remember from growing up on a farm. The honey bees and wasps would sting, but when a black hornet got me it was always much more painful. I guess they call the Asian Hornet "Taugh Sua" or tiger hornet in Thai. The better half is good shape today and just a slight residual pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_Dog Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 Tiger Hornets... the movie... If you do get stung right now during their active season, see a doctor quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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