Wildlife
Hornets are less aggressive than many more frequently encountered wasp species. in spite of their fearsome reputation, they generally only sting in defence of their nest or when something picks them up and their stings are no more dangerous to humans than a wasp's. A hornet nest lasts only a year, as only the young queens hibernate and survive the winter. Drones die after mating and the workers and the old queen die off in late autumn.
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Last supper
Only the fertilised hornet queen will survive the silly season to hibernate in the UK winter.
Only the fertilised hornet queen will survive the silly season to hibernate in the UK winter.
Insect terminator
An old dead tree provides the perfect nest site for a hornet colony.
An old dead tree provides the perfect nest site for a hornet colony.
Stingless male
Despite their reputation, hornets are more placid than wasps.
Despite their reputation, hornets are more placid than wasps.
Horrible hornets
George McGavin dispels the myths behind the hornet's fearsome reputation.
George McGavin dispels the myths behind the hornet's fearsome reputation.
The following habitats are found across the Hornet distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
The European hornet Vespa crabro, commonly known simply as the "hornet", is the largest European eusocial wasp. The queen measures 25 to 50 mm (1–2 in) long; males and workers are smaller. In males, as in most members of the Aculeata, the antennae have 13 segments, while in females there are only 12; also as in other aculeates, the male abdomen has seven visible segments, while the female has six; females possess an ovipositor modified into a sting which is not barbed. See wasp and bee characteristics to help identify similar insects.
This species will sting in response to being stepped on or grabbed. They are also defensive of their hive and rather aggressive around food sources such as lilac bushes. Care should be taken when encountered in these circumstances as they may sting without warning. The pain from the sting may persist for several days with attendant swelling.
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Garden wildlife
From badgers to butterflies and frogs to foxes, garden wildlife is both varied and surprising.
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Oak wood
Farmland
Brownfield land
Beech wood
Parkland
Broadleaf forest
Coniferous forest
Urban
Predation defence
Warning colours
Colonial
Eusocial
Adapted to flying
Hibernation
Metamorphosis
Egg layer
Predator
Venomous