European hornet

Europe's largest wasp

The European hornet is the largest European vespid, considerably bigger than a common wasp. Its body is robust, with a reddish-brown head and thorax and a yellow abdomen crossed by dark bands. The wings have a slightly reddish tinge. In everyday speech the term hornet is often wrongly applied to the carpenter bee and the bumblebee too, which belong to different groups.

Habitat and range

It is widespread across much of Europe and Asia; it has also been introduced to North America, where it is the only true hornet species present. It lives in woods, countryside, parks and gardens, often near hollow trees and old buildings.

Social behaviour and nest

It is a eusocial insect: it lives in annual colonies founded in spring by a single queen. The workers build a paper-like nest, made by chewing wood fibres and plant material, usually in tree cavities, lofts or nest boxes. It feeds on other insects — flies, bees, wasps, grasshoppers — which it catches to rear its larvae, while the adults feed on sap, ripe fruit and sugary substances.

Notable facts

Despite its imposing look and deep hum, the hornet is less aggressive than commonly believed: it stings only if the nest is disturbed or it feels threatened. It is a useful predator that helps control the populations of other insects. Unlike many wasps, it is also active at night and is drawn to lights.

Conservation

The species is not considered threatened and remains common. In some European countries it is protected, because it plays an important ecological role as a predator and occasional pollinator. Nests should not be destroyed without need.