Here's what happens to your body if you're stung by an Asian Hornet wasp, as the UK has been put on high alert over the late spring and summer months.
As we look forward to basking in some well earned sunshine, we'll also have to stay vigilant for the insect following a rise in sightings across the past few years.
Known as the Vespa velutina, an Asian Hornet is a non-native wasp species in the UK. Characterised by its very dark body featuring a wide orange stripe on the abdomen and yellow leg-ends.
Although the wasp is less aggressive than its European counterpart, they still have a pretty painful sting.
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Should you be unlucky enough to get stung by one of them, here is a step by step guide on what will happen to you.
According to a video posted by Bright Side, the initial moments are the sting will see the affected area begin to turn red and swell as your immune system works to get rid of the infected blood.
The swelling can also last from 'hours to days'. Pretty grim right. Hornets can attack up to 10 times, with anyone stung multiple times advised to go to hospital.
However, despite their painful sting, humans are not the primary target of the Asian Hornet - with the insect posing a far greater danger to local eco-systems.
The wasps target honeybees and are able to consume up to 50 bees a day, which could have a disastrous knock on effect for the local wildlife and landscapes.
It's for this reason why local authorities are keen to keep the insect under control, with all UK sightings to be reported via this online form or emailed to [email protected] as soon as possible.
Still curious about what a sting from an Asian Hornet could do to you? Well fortunately one incredibly brave (or stupid) man decided to let himself be stung under controlled conditions.
Uploading the footage to his YouTube channel Brave Wilderness, 42-year-old Coyote Peterson revealed his step by step reaction to getting stung.
Peterson can be seen screaming in intense pain as he's overcome by a wave of dizziness.
"Wave of dizziness really quick," he said, followed by a scream of: "Searing pain."
Attempting to describe the pain he was experiencing, Peterson continued: "My hand is completely seized up and locked in place... Look at the swelling that's beginning to form."
Peterson went on to add that the hours following the sting were 'some of the most painful' he'd ever experienced with his hand and arm swelling to 'nearly double' its original size.
Brenna Cooper