The eastern hornet is an insect with a tolerance to alcohol that has never been seen before, according to new research. Large amounts of ethanol do not make him sick or die.
The surprising discovery was made by scientists from Tel Aviv University. A group of experts consisting of behavioral ecologists, zoologists and crop protection specialists experimentally fed a group of eastern hornets with ethanol (Vespa orientalis).
During the research, it turned out that insects found, among others, in south-eastern Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa, have an extremely high tolerance to alcohol. According to scientists, perhaps even the largest in the entire animal kingdom. Details were published in the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”.
Alcohol negatively affects insects
Insects come into contact with alcohol, for example, when they eat rotten fruit. Previous research has shown that many plants produce fruit or nectar that naturally ferments as it rots, leading to the production of ethanol. Such food is a source of nutrients and energy due to its high caloric value. However, most animals consuming ethanol in concentrations higher than 4%. suffers negative effects such as difficulty moving or flying.
Scientists have noticed that eastern hornets tolerate a diet high in fermented fruit surprisingly well. In order to check their resistance to alcohol, experts conducted laboratory tests.
Eastern hornetShutterstock
Incredible resistance to alcohol
Under controlled conditions, a team of specialists administered sucrose solutions with ethanol to the hornets. The initial doses were quite small, but even at 20 percent alcohol concentration the insects did not show any negative effects. Only at the 80 percent dose did the hornets begin to behave as if they were a little drunk for a while. However, after “sobering up” they behaved normally.
Experts emphasize that any other creature would be killed by such large amounts of alcohol.
Cause
Scientists found multiple copies of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene in the hornets, which is involved in breaking down alcohol. According to experts, this may explain the unusual tolerance to ethanol in humans Vespa orientalis. The extra copies of the gene most likely evolved through a mutualistic relationship (one in which two organisms of different species cooperate and benefit from each other) between the hornets and fermenting brewer's yeast.
Thanks to previous research, we know that yeast lives in the hornets' intestines and even reproduces there.
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