New research reveals that the Eastern Yellow Hornet has an extraordinary tolerance for high alcohol concentrations, surpassing any other animal species.
Consuming low amounts of ethanol is not particularly surprising in the animal kingdom. In the case of the Eastern Yellow Hornet (scientific name: Vespa orientalis), this comes from a diet consisting of ripe fruits and nectar, which ferment to produce ethanol.
For many species, even if well-adapted to consuming ethanol, ingesting any concentration above 4% can lead to adverse effects.
Typically, this poses a risk of negative health impacts and, in severe cases, can lead to mortality.
The Eastern Yellow Hornet can “consume” 80% alcohol without harm (Image source: Getty).
However, a team of researchers from Tel Aviv University (Israel) has discovered that the Eastern Yellow Hornet can handle ethanol concentrations of up to 80% without altering their behavior or survival rates.
Surprisingly, they can even thrive on ethanol alone for a week without any supplementary food, still “living well.”
Indeed, the research team collected male hornets from across the university campus and placed them in experimental boxes.
For one week, they were provided with nothing to eat except a sugar solution with ethanol concentrations ranging from 0 to 80%. The researchers then observed the hornets’ behavior and their survival duration.
Strangely, regardless of the ethanol concentration tested, the hornets showed no signs of behavioral changes or increased mortality.
The authors explain in the study that the hornets’ ability to consume such high alcohol concentrations without side effects is likely due to their genetic traits.
Specifically, the hornets’ tolerance to ethanol may be attributed to multiple copies of the alcohol dehydrogenase (NADP+) gene. This gene encodes a special enzyme capable of breaking down ethanol at any concentration they encounter.
This discovery suggests a hypothesis that the symbiotic relationship between ethanol-producing organisms and their hosts might be the source of their “immunity” to ethanol usage and metabolism.
Therefore, Eastern Yellow Hornets could provide valuable insights into the physiological and behavioral aspects stemming from ethanol immunity.
Additionally, they clarify the underlying mechanisms and potential treatments for alcohol use disorders in humans.
