Zoologists spent a week “soldering” hornets to test their resistance to alcohol

Scientists have discovered that hornets can drink the equivalent of 12 pints of beer in one sitting

Zoologists at the University of California, Davis, gave European hornets (Vespa crabro) access to a 10% sucrose solution laced with ethanol. The hornets drank the solution until they became intoxicated, and the researchers then measured their blood alcohol content (BAC).

The results showed that the hornets could reach a BAC of 0.12%, which is equivalent to the legal limit for driving in most countries. The hornets were also able to metabolize the alcohol quickly, and their BAC returned to normal within a few hours.

The study's findings suggest that hornets may be more resistant to alcohol than other insects. This could be due to the fact that hornets have a high tolerance for sugar, which may help them to process alcohol more quickly.

The study could have implications for the control of hornets

Hornets are a common pest in many parts of the world, and they can cause significant damage to crops and property. The study's findings suggest that it may be possible to develop new methods for controlling hornets that target their resistance to alcohol.

Conclusion

The study's findings provide new insights into the behavior of hornets. The findings could also have implications for the control of hornets, and they could lead to the development of new methods for protecting crops and property from these pests.