Mutated Fukishima Hornets: Real or Hoax?

A report states that giant mutated hornets related to the Fukishima disaster in Japan have been found in Nebraska.

The claim is false.

The website which published this story is the satirical National Report. The official-sounding news article has been shared by readers unaware of the satirical nature of the site. The article includes such claims as:

It was reported that these pests have been contaminated by radioactive debris from the failed Fukushima power plant. This has caused them to nearly quadruple in size, and become hyper aggressive. 

It is believed that the wasps found their new home in McPherson County, Nebraska via a shipment of Japanese snack crackers to a local Asian grocery outlet earlier this spring.

National Report

National Report has a disclaimer which clearly states that the website produces satirical content. The disclaimer – which has been removed on at least one occasion – reads:

*DISCLAIMER: National Report is a news and political satire web publication, which may or may not use real names, often in semi-real or mostly fictitious ways. All news articles contained within National Report are fiction, and presumably fake news. Any resemblance to the truth is purely coincidental . The views expressed by writers on this site are theirs alone and are not reflective of the fine journalistic and editorial integrity of National Report. Advice given is NOT to be construed as professional. If you are in need of professional help (and you may be if you are on this page), please consult a professional. National Report is intended for a mature audience and not for children under the age of 18.

Hornets in China

The image included in the satirical National Report article shows the Asian giant hornet and was published around the same time as real reports that Asian giant hornets had killed over 40 and injured over 1500 in China since July. The rise in hornet stings in China is unrelated to Fukishima, and has been attributed to urbanization along with a drier, warmer climate this year.

Bottom Line

There are no mutated hornets related to Fukishima. The story was published by a satirical website around the same time as real reports of increased hornet stings in China.

Sources

• Mutated Fukushima Giant Hornet Responsible For Multiple Nebraska Casualties (NationalReport.net: October 2013)
• China hornets kill 41 in north since July (BBC News: October 3, 2013)
• Four massive wasps (The Ranger’s Blog/Nature.net: May 16, 2012)

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