Bumblebees Drop to Ground to Shake Off Attacking Asian Hornets

Bumblebees have a remarkably successful method for fighting off Asian hornets, new research shows. When attacked, buff-tailed bumblebees drop to the ground--taking the hornets down with them. This either causes the hornet to lose its grip, or the bee raises its sting and tussles until the hornet gives up. University of Exeter (UK) scientists witnessed over 120 such attacks, and were stunned to find that bumblebees fought off the hornets every time.