An infestation of hornets with excruciating stings is sweeping the Italian capital as one injured man recounted how he now needs crutches after one pricked his foot.
The hornets have now ventured into the city centre with nests attached to shutters, vents, air conditioning units and hidden in nooks.
High temperatures and Rome’s increasingly problematic rubbish struggles have been blamed for the plague of hornets.
Andrea Lunerti, a zoologist and wasp removal specialist said the two elements provide the perfect conditions for the urban insects.
“Rome is a very dirty city with the worst management of urban waste – there are open bins everywhere,” Lunerti told the Guardian.
She added: “They have the capacity to adapt to any environment and reproduce quickly.
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High temperatures and Rome’s increasingly problematic rubbish struggles have been blamed for the plague of hornets
PEXELS“This year we have seen more Queen oriental hornets, who are mating with males perhaps from other colonies.
“The Queens are much bigger and more frightening – they do not have the traditional dimensions of other wasps flying around the city.”
Oriental hornets are also present in other parts of the country, especially in the south.
According to the Guardian, one local Andrea Velardi was stung in the foot.
Lunerti said the hornets 'have the capacity to adapt to any environment and reproduce quickly'
PEXELSVelardi said his foot “swelled up so much I couldn’t walk”.
He added: “I knew straight away that this wasn’t a normal wasp sting.”
The homeowner who lives in Campi de’ Fiori in central Rome, reportedly needed crutches to walk until the swelling and pain subsided and used an ice pack and cortisone to tend his injury.
“We don’t yet understand the damage these insects can do, but I knew I had to act quickly,” Veraldi said.
“This summer definitely marked a turning point.
“Other than the nests, the hornets are continuously invading open spaces like terraces and terrifying people, especially if there’s food – it’s impossible to enjoy having a snack on a terrace nowadays.”
