Largest species of hornet

The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is native to the mountains of Japan and can grow to be 5.5 centimetres (2.2 inches) long, with a wingspan of approximately 7.6 centimetres (3 inches). Its sting is about 0.6 centimetres (0.25 inches) long and can inject a venom so powerful that it dissolves human tissue.