A team led by a professor of chemical ecology at Kochi University has identified a chemical substance that temporarily dulls the aggressive instinct of hornets.
The researchers, led by Prof. Kim Chul Sa, are scheduled to present the results of their research at an annual meeting of the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology in Kagoshima today.
The chemical substance, 2-Phenylethanol, is contained in the scent of flowers such as roses and cherry blossoms.
In 2013, Toshihide Ichikawa, a professor emeritus of entomology at Kagawa University who jointly conducted the research with Kim, discovered that hornets seemed to either like or dislike the sap of sawtooth oak trees.
Kim examined the sap and determined that they dislike 2-Phenylethanol. Hornets that were sprayed with the chemical did not act aggressively, such as by stinging people.
Hornets characteristically make aggressive attacks. Colony members gather through that are emitted warning pheromones. The researchers also confirmed that colony members did not approach after detecting the chemical.
Kim and other researchers set up a venture company at Kochi University in 2016 to put a wasp repellent to practical use.
The firm plans to start selling the spray as early as April. The product uses benzyl alcohol, which is similar in structure to 2-Phenylethanol. In their experiment, the researchers found that benzyl alcohol has a similar effect on hornets. It also has a high level of safety, and is used in food additives.
One spray will dampen the insect's aggressive instincts for about five minutes. When people encounter hornets, they can buy time to escape by spraying the hornets directly or by spraying it on or around themselves.
"Hornets are also useful insects that eat pests," Kim said. "[This product] will help build a sound environment, given that we won't have to kill them with insecticides and [other] chemicals."
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