Summary
As an effective counterattack strategy against predacious hornets, especiallyVespa simillima xanthoptera, workers ofApis cerana japonica showed a distinct balling reaction, usually involving 180–300 bees. This produced heat for as long as 20 min, giving rise to temperatures inside the ball higher than 46°C, which is lethal to the hornet but not to the bees.
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Ono, M., Okada, I. & Sasaki, M. Heat production by balling in the Japanese honeybee,Apis cerana japonica as a defensive behavior against the hornet,Vespa simillima xanthoptera (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Experientia 43, 1031–1034 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01952231
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01952231