https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/10/23/why-oriental-hornets-cant-get-drunk

 />Skip to content

  * Menu
  * Weekly edition
  * The world in brief
  * Search

Log in

  * Opinion

      + Leaders
      + Letters to the editor
      + By Invitation
      + Current topics

          o US elections 2024
          o War in Ukraine
          o War in the Middle East
          o The World Ahead 2024
          o Climate change
          o Coronavirus
          o The world economy
          o Artificial intelligence
  * Current topics

      + US elections 2024
      + War in Ukraine
      + War in the Middle East
      + The World Ahead 2024
      + Climate change
      + Coronavirus
      + The world economy
      + Artificial intelligence
  * World

      + The world this week
      + China
      + United States
      + Europe
      + Britain
      + Middle East & Africa
      + Asia
      + The Americas
      + International
      + A-Z of international relations
      + A-Z of military terms
      + A-Z of US politics
      + US election poll tracker
  * In depth

      + Science & technology
      + Briefing
      + Graphic detail
      + The Economist explains
      + Special reports
      + Technology Quarterly
      + Essay
      + Schools brief
  * Business & economics

      + Finance & economics
      + Business
      + Big Mac index
      + A-Z of economics
      + Economic & financial indicators
  * Culture & society

      + 1843 magazine
      + Culture
      + Obituary
      + The Economist reads
      + Christmas Specials
  * More

      + Podcasts
      + Newsletters
      + Films
      + The Economist app
      + SecureDrop
      + Subscriber events
      + Economist Education courses
      + Economist Enterprise

  * My Economist
  * Saved stories
  * Log out

  * Saved stories
  * Account
  * Log out

Search
[                    ]
Try AI-powered search

Science & technology | Buzzing without being buzzed

Why Oriental hornets can't get drunk

They can guzzle extreme amounts for their size, without suffering ill
effects

Three adult Oriental hornet workers feeding on a ripe fig.D'you come
here often?Photograph: Eran Levin
Oct 23rd 2024
Share

Like people, many animals enjoy having a drink every now and again.
Rather than sip brandy or Chablis, though, they feed on fermented
fruit, but the effects are the same. Though alcohol is rich in
calories, it muddles minds and shortens lifespans. It presents a
serious risk to animals and most avoid drinking to excess.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the
print edition under the headline "Buzzing without being buzzed"

Science & technology October 26th 2024

  * The study of ancient DNA is helping to solve modern crimes 
  * Why Oriental hornets can't get drunk
  * Winemakers are building grape-picking robots
  * Perovskite crystals may represent the future of solar power

[20241026_DE_US]

From the October 26th 2024 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition
Share
Reuse this content

Discover more

[20241102_STP501]

Heart-cockle shells may work like fibre-optic cables

Inbuilt lenses transmit sunlight to symbiotic algae

The robot navigates the vineyard.

Winemakers are building grape-picking robots

Automating this delicate task is harder than it seems

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Illustration of a magnifying glass focusing on several DNA strands,
surrounding the magnifying glass are yellow crime scene markers.

The study of ancient DNA is helping to solve modern crimes 

Such techniques have helped secure two convictions this year

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Perovskite crystals may represent the future of solar power

Their efficiency rates far exceed those of conventional silicon
panels

SpaceX is NASA's biggest lunar rival

The company's successes are also showing up the agency's failings

Tubeworms live beneath the planetary crust around deep-sea vents

The conditions are hot, sulphurous and low in oxygen

---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------

  * Subscribe
  * Economist Enterprise
  * Reuse our content
  * Help and contact us

Keep updated

  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  

Published since September 1843 to take part in "a severe contest
between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid
ignorance obstructing our progress."

The Economist

  * About
  * Advertise
  * Press centre
  * SecureDrop

The Economist Group

  * The Economist Group
  * Economist Intelligence
  * Economist Impact
  * Economist Impact Events
  * Working here
  * Economist Education Courses
  * Executive Jobs

To enhance your experience and ensure our website runs smoothly, we
use cookies and similar technologies.

Manage Cookies

  * Terms of Use
  * Privacy
  * Cookie Policy
  * Accessibility
  * Modern Slavery Statement
  * Sitemap
  * Your Data Rights

Copyright (c) The Economist Newspaper Limited 2024. All rights
reserved.