Have you ever marveled at how some of your friends can throw back shot after shot and still carry on an intellectual conversation, while others are ready to karaoke after a single glass of wine? Well, get this: there is a creature in the animal kingdom that puts even the most seasoned bar-goer to shame — the Oriental hornet.
Yes, you read that right. Not a human, but a social wasp, scientifically named Vespa orientalis, can drink the equivalent of your local distillery under the table. Researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel recently discovered that these little buzzers can consume ethanol — the active ingredient in alcohol — in staggeringly high concentrations, up to 80 percent, without batting an eye. To put that into perspective, that is double the strength of any spirit you would find at Ducky’s.
Ethanol, that magical compound responsible for your tipsy adventures, is a natural byproduct of fermentation found in fruits, nectar, and other forms of sugar. For most animals, consuming too much ethanol can be toxic or at the very least lead to regrettable behavior (looking at you, humans). But, the Oriental hornet… it thrives on it. Researchers found that these hornets not only tolerate ethanol, but also metabolize it at lightning-fast rates.
The secret to their alcohol prowess lies in their genes. Unlike most insects — or even humans — these hornets have multiple copies of genes that code for alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme animals produce which helps to break down ethanol. Think of it as having extra liver power to process alcohol without getting “drunk.” As a result, they avoid the typical side effects like sluggish behavior or reduced lifespan. They can keep building intricate nests, defending their colonies, and buzzing about their business like nothing happened.
Dr. Sofia Bouchebti, lead author of the study, and their colleagues, pitted Oriental hornets against honey bees in a head-to-head experiment, feeding both species high concentrations of ethanol. The bees? They tapped out within 24 hours. The hornets? They outlasted the experiment and did not even skip a beat. Clearly, honey bees may rule the hive, but the Oriental hornet is the king of the keg.
Even when given the choice between absurdly strong alcohol and plain old water, the hornets showed no fear of ethanol, happily slurping up sugary alcoholic solutions as casually as us students down energy drinks during finals week. Unlike us, these hornets do not need to pace themselves when drinking — they go all in, no regrets. As Dr. Bouchebti put it, “Hornets readily consumed large amounts of ethanol and did not seem to modulate their ethanol ingestion.” No sips, no water breaks, that is what I call commitment.
This boozy relationship may have evolutionary roots. Hornets have coexisted with ethanol-producing organisms like yeast for thousands of years. In fact, they help spread these microorganisms by carrying them from ripe fruit to other food sources, ensuring a steady supply of alcohol-rich nectar. It is a mutualistic relationship that benefits both the hornets and the microbes. Nature, it seems, loves a good partnership.
Okay, so we have established that these hornets are nature’s heavyweight drinkers but, why should you care? Their ability to break down alcohol so efficiently is not just a cool party trick; it could actually help scientists understand alcohol tolerance and addiction in humans. As we have discussed, these hornets have a genetic advantage that allows them to quickly process alcohol, preventing toxic buildup from substances like acetaldehyde. In humans, individual differences in alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase genes influence how different people process alcohol. This affects everything from tolerance levels and hangover severity to the likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcohol addiction. Understanding how these hornets avoid the drunk tank despite constant exposure could lead us to new ways to reduce alcohol-related health risks in humans.
So next time you are sipping on a cocktail and wondering why you can’t keep up with your one friend who never gets hangovers, spare a thought for the Oriental hornet. These wasps have taken alcohol tolerance to a whole new level. While they might not join you at the bar, know that as long as these guys are around, you will never be drinking alone.
