Belongs to: bees, wasps and ants
Compare with: common wasp
Hornet Vespa crabro
Also known as: european hornet
Best time to see: mid Apr to end Oct
Key facts
Britain's largest wasp species, queens averaging 3cm in length
Less agressive than wasps and, because they feed their young on insects and grubs, useful as pest controllers
Once found only in southern England, in recent decades has extended its range as far north as Yorkshire
Recognition
Thorax and legs reddish-brown and black, with yellow only on head and abdomen
Feed on large insects such as other wasps, bees and moths, and on sap leaking from damaged trees
Like other wasp species, build their nest out of paper made from wood scrapings
Lifecycle
Young queens hibernate over winter, emerging in April to start building a nest, usually in hollow trees or outbuildings
She raises workers (sterile females) to help build up the nest, and in summer they raise new queens and fertile males
These emerge in September/October and mate; the nest dies out in autumn and only the new queens survive
© Tony Gunton
© Tony Gunton