KILLER Asian giant hornets have met their match in a species of bees — who cook the sinister invaders alive.
The massive two-inch wasps massacre honey bees in their hives, decapitating their victims and feeding their bodies to their young.
Washington State Department of Agriculture said in a blog post: “Asian giant hornet attacks and destroys honeybee hives.
“A few hornets can destroy a hive in a matter of hours.
“The hornets enter a ‘slaughter phase’ where they kill bees by decapitating them.
“They then defend the hive as their own, taking the brood to feed their own young.”
But one species has developed a way of defending their hives from the freakish predator.
For Japanese honeybees — unlike European counterparts — launch a counter attack by forming into a “hot defensive bee balls” around the intruder.
They do this by vibrating their bodies, which ramps up the temperature to 116 Fahrenheit. But the Japanese bees can withstand 117 degrees — although the Asian giant hornet simply cooks.
OK, this may be the coolest video ever… murder hornets defeated
Senator Ted Cruz
Swarms surround the invading hornet and literally cook them alive.
A National Geographic tweeted video captured the genius defensive strategy in action.
In the clip, a “murder hornet” flies up to a hive and strolls in without being stopped.
The honeybees appear not to be noticing what’s going on — but suddenly attack.
Hundreds of honeybees swarm around the intruder.
Thermal photography shows the temperature inside the writhing ball rising to 116 degrees, roasting the hornet alive.
The video has drawn the attention of Senator Ted Cruz no less.
The retweeted the post, writing: “OK, this may be the coolest video ever. Murder hornets defeated!”
It comes after a video emerged showing a giant hornet attacking a mouse and pumping it full of venom.
Moments later the mouse appears paralyzed and gasping for breath before collapsing and lying motionless.
But despite their frightening exterior, foodies in Japan enjoy eating the “murder hornets” and adding them to liquor.
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