KILLER HORNETS: SEE FIRST PICTURE OF DEADLY INSECT THAT HAVE CLAIMED DOZENS OF LIVES!

Hundreds have suffered injuries including anaphylactic shock and renal failure from toxic stings.

Killer wasps that have left at least 28 people dead in China

These are the first pictures of the killer wasps that have claimed the lives of dozens of people in China in a wave of attacks.

A mother and son were among those to die at the hands of one swarm, and hundreds more villagers have been treated in hospitals in rural areas for injuries.

Most of the victims have come under attack while working outdoors in rice fields, but a 68-year-old was killed after wind blew a hornets nest over, prompting a furious attack.

More than 230 people have been stung in the city of Ankang alone, which is the hardest hit with 18 of the total deaths in the past three months.

The spate of attacks has prompted the city’s hospital to set up a panel specialising in the treatment of hornet stings.

People in the cities of Hanzhong and Shangluo have also been killed and injured.

Ankang’s fire department has removed over 300 hornet nests from crowded residential areas since July in an attempt to address the problem.

Experts believe the culprits to be the Asian giant hornet, which grows up to 5cm long with a 6mm sting.

The giant hornets’ highly toxic stings can lead to anaphylactic shock and renal failure.

The attacks are an annual problem but have worsened this year, possibly due to warmer weather boosting breeding.

Between 2002 and 2005 there were 36 deaths and 715 people injured, according to Ankang police.

Earlier this month, it was revealed a deadly breed of hornet was threatening Britain’s bees. The Daily Star reports.