Hornets have been breeding more rapidly than they used to in this southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, according to the Yangcheng Evening News.
The Guangzhou-based newspaper said that hornets had been seen to build nests beneath the roofs of many local houses.
A new nest contained just a couple of hornets. But after three to four months, the hornets had increased so rapidly the nest was almost bursting, said the newspaper.
Luo Yuexiong, an engineer with Guangdong Provincial Insect Institute, believed the rise in hornets was the result of suitable climate, ideal habitat, rich food resources and a decline in natural enemies.
"Hornets are quite sensitive to air quality," said Luo. He recalled that more than one decade ago, when air quality was not as good in Guangzhou as at present, hornets rarely made nests in downtown areas, but chose the suburbs instead and built nests among the trees.
In the past two years, air quality had improved enormously as greater efforts were made to curb pollution and more trees were growing in downtown Guangzhou.
There are now five or six kinds of hornets living in Guangzhou, all poisonous. But experts say hornets usually do not attack human beings.
However a hornet sting produces swelling and fever in mild cases, and in serious cases a person may become unconscious or even die, so it is important to see a doctor if stung, they advise.
They warn that anyone finding a nest near their house, should seek help in getting rid of the insects from specialists familiar with hornets.
Luo Yuexiong said staff at his institute were asked to help remove five or six hornet nests across the city each month.
(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2002)
