Ice Hornets

The Ice Hornets are creatures from Lumberjack Folklore in Maine. They have the scientific name “Vespula glacialis.” They’re often found when ice fisheries drill into the ice, and unintentionally hit a nest inside the ice, causing the hornets to swarm. They’re difficult to find unless they’re disturbed and can only be found during the winter. It’s unknown how they survive during the summer. They resemble large ill-tempered wasps camouflaged for winter and have incredibly barbed stingers containing large amounts of venom. Stinger can only be removed with blackberry brandy. One way to escape a swarm is by jumping into open water, which comes with its own separate risks. They can also be scared off if a person catches several hornets and bites off their heads, sending a clear message.

Citations:

Packard, Christopher. Mythical Creatures of Maine: Fantastic Beasts from Legend and Folklore. United States, Down East Books, 2021.