European Hornet
A female European hornet
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Vespidae Genus: Vespa Species: V. Arthropods are Animals belonging to the Phylum Arthropoda (from Greek ἄρθρον arthron, " Joint " Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Hymenoptera is one of the larger orders of Insects comprising the sawflies, Wasps Bees and Ants The name refers to The Vespidae are a large (nearly 5000 species diverse cosmopolitan family of Wasps including nearly all the known Eusocial wasps and many Solitary Hornets are the largest eusocial Wasps that reach up to 45 Millimetres (1 crabro
Binomial name
Vespa crabro Linnaeus, 1761

The European hornet Vespa crabro, commonly known simply as the "hornet", is the largest European eusocial wasp. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for Hornets are the largest eusocial Wasps that reach up to 45 Millimetres (1 Eusociality ( Greek eu: "good" + "social" is a term used for the highest level of social organization in a hierarchical classification A wasp is any Insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is neither a Bee nor Ant. Its name is not to be confused with the colloquial use of "hornet" for the bald-faced hornet, or other yellowjackets in other countries. Dolichovespula maculata is a North American insect which despite commonly being called the bald-faced hornet (or white-faced hornet) is not Yellowjacket or yellow-jacket is the Common name in North America for predatory Wasps of the genera Vespula and The queen measures 25 to 35 mm (1–1. Eusociality ( Greek eu: "good" + "social" is a term used for the highest level of social organization in a hierarchical classification The Millimetre ( American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to 4 in) long; males and workers are smaller. Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. 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. The name Aculeata is used to refer to a Monophyletic lineage of Hymenoptera. Antennae (singular antenna) are paired Appendages connected to the front-most segments of Arthropods In Crustaceans they are In Vertebrates such as Mammals the abdomen (belly constitutes the part of the body between the Thorax (chest and Pelvis. The ovipositor is an organ used by some of the Animals for Oviposition, i A stinger (a Colloquialism for the term "sting" is a common term for a sharp organ or body part found in various Animals (typically Arthropods See wasp and bee characteristics to help identify similar insects. While easily confused at a distance or without close observation there are many different characteristics of Bees and Wasps which can be used to identify them

This species is not particularly aggressive except when defending the nest, and care must be taken when in its proximity, as the stings are quite painful. As with most stinging insects, European hornets will sting in self-defense when grabbed or stepped on.

Description

Vespa crabro dorsal view

Eyes are deeply indented, shaped like a C. Wings are reddish-orange, the petiolate abdomen is brown striped with yellow. In Entomology, the term petiole is most commonly used to refer to the constricted first (and sometimes second Metasomal segment of members of the Hymenopteran The European hornet is larger than a yellowjacket but smaller than some Asian hornet species. Yellowjacket or yellow-jacket is the Common name in North America for predatory Wasps of the genera Vespula and The Asian giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia, also known as the Japanese hornet and known colloquially as the yak-killer hornet is the world's largest Hornet, native It has hair on the thorax and abdomen, although the European hornet is not so hairy as most bees. Bees are flying Insects closely related to Wasps and Ants Bees are a Monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea ^[1]

European hornets often have the rove beetle Velleius dilatatus living in their colonies. The rove beetles are a large family ( Staphylinidae) of Beetles primarily distinguished by their short Elytra that leave more than half of their The rove beetle Velleius dilatatus lives together with the European hornet Vespa crabro crabro.

Relationship with humans

Myths

Hornets in an opened nest

European hornets are often mischaracterised as very aggressive and dangerous, and are greatly feared by some people. Some people believe that "three stings from the European hornet can kill an adult human, and that seven can kill a horse". These are common myths - a sting from a European hornet isn't any more dangerous than a wasp sting, and hornets are less aggressive than wasps. In contrast, multiple Asian giant hornets stings are, in fact, more dangerous. The Asian giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia, also known as the Japanese hornet and known colloquially as the yak-killer hornet is the world's largest Hornet, native

While impressive due to their size and loud sound, European hornets are in fact much less aggressive than some of their smaller relatives, notably the yellowjackets, Vespula germanica and Vespula vulgaris. Yellowjacket or yellow-jacket is the Common name in North America for predatory Wasps of the genera Vespula and The German wasp, or European wasp, Vespula germanica, is a Wasp found in much of the Northern Hemisphere, native to Europe The common wasp, Vespula vulgaris, is a Wasp found in much of the Northern Hemisphere, and introduced to Australia and New When approached, European hornets can actually be seen to slowly crawl backwards and eventually flee, rather than attacking. This can make it hard to remove hornets from indoors, if they happen to come in through an open window or door. While not aggressive when encountered far from the nest, multiple workers will vigorously defend the nest if provoked. Nests can be approached without provocation (by moving slowly and not breathing towards the nest) to about 50 cm (20 in). Nests are usually not a problem outside buildings, but because they drip faeces, a bad smelling black liquid, nests inside sheds or walls can be a problem.

Endangered species and legal protection

Unwarranted fear has often led to the destruction of nests, leading to the decline of the species, which is often locally threatened or even endangered. European hornets benefit from legal protection in some countries, notably Germany, where it has been illegal to kill a European hornet or nest since 1 January 1987, with a fine up to 50,000 Euros. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) ^[2]

Attraction to lights and food

European hornets are attracted to lights at night, but are not attracted to human foods and food wastes. This is quite unlike the bald-faced hornet or other yellowjackets. Dolichovespula maculata is a North American insect which despite commonly being called the bald-faced hornet (or white-faced hornet) is not

Geographic colour forms

European hornet with prey (a honeybee)

European hornets worldwide are found with geographic colour forms^[3][4]:

• Vespa crabro crabro Linnaeus, 1758
• Vespa crabro vexator Harris, 1776
• Vespa crabro germana Christ, 1791
• Vespa crabro crabroniformis Smith, 1852
• Vespa crabro borealis Radoszkowski, 1863
• Vespa crabro oberthuri du Buysson, 1902
• Vespa crabro flavofasciata Cameron, 1903
• Vespa crabro altaica Pérez, 1910
• Vespa crabro caspica Pérez, 1910
• Vespa crabro chinensis Birula, 1925

Stings

See also: hornet#Stings

Notes

External links

• European hornet protection site