Massive killer hornets are preying upon the innocent people of China, and have claimed at least 19 lives over the last three months.

Hornets are a type of wasp, and can be distinguished from your ordinary, non-murderous bee by a lack of hair, a longer body and a really bad attitude. Importantly, hornets don’t lose their stingers when they attack, so they can sting you as many times as they like.

The hornets on a killing spree in China are Asian giant hornets, which grow to an average of two inches in length. The queens are even bigger, as you can see from this revolting photo if you’re brave or crazy enough to follow the link.

The hornets’ venom contains a neurotoxin powerful enough to dissolve human tissue. Sadly, Chen Changlin knows all about that. While he survived a recent hornet attack in China’s Shaanxi province, a woman and child weren’t so lucky.

“I ran and shouted for help, but the hornets chased me about 650 feets, and stung me for more than three minutes,” Chen told China Youth Daily.

“The more you run, the more they want to chase you,” another hornet victim said. When this man was admitted to hospital, his urine was the color of soy sauce, CNN reports.

China’s wasp season runs from May to November. The situation is so serious that one mayor in Shaanxi province has announced plans to establish a 24-hour emergency response team to combat the hornets.

We wish them luck.

This story originally appeared on News.com.au.