Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hym.: Vespidae), Venom Obtention Based on a Electric Stimulation Protocol.

The yellow-legged Asian hornet (AH) (Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)) is naturally distributed in China, Southeast Asia and India; however it was detected outside of its native area, concretly in South Korea, Europe and Japan. The species has subsequently expanded its range resulting in frequent stinging incidents, being the most common cause of anaphylaxis due to hymenopterans in some European regions. Health risks and deaths caused by AH stings have become a public health concern. From the medical community there is a literal appeal to the need to possess AH venom extracts for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In the present work, a straightforward, quick and inexpensive method for obtaining AH venom by electric stimulation is described. The venom extracts were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), confirming the nature of the obtained material. The availability of AH venom will lead to improve diagnostic and therapeutic methods in patients with allergy to this invasive species.