# European Hornet (*Vespa crabro*) The European Hornet is a large wasp that can be found buzzing around gardens and forests. They are important for helping to control pests and pollinating flowers. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** European Wasp ![European Hornet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Vespa_crabro_80708.jpg&width=800) Photo: Accipiter (R. Altenkamp, Berlin), CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vespa_crabro_80708.jpg) ## Appearance The European Hornet is a large wasp, instantly recognizable by its striking yellow and black striped abdomen, paired with a reddish-brown head and thorax. Its larger size visually distinguishes it from common yellowjackets, which often have more prominent yellow facial markings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Vespidae - **Genus:** Vespa ## Interesting facts - A hornet's sting contains alarm pheromones that can attract more hornets to help defend. - European Hornets are one of the few social wasps that are active at night! - Hornet larvae produce a sugary liquid that adult hornets eat, creating a unique food exchange! - They strip tree bark to create a paper-like pulp for building their amazing nests. ## Special abilities - **Venomous Protector:** European Hornets can deliver a powerful sting to defend their nest because it helps them deter predators and rivals. - **Night Vision:** The European Hornet has excellent low-light vision that helps them hunt insects even after the sun goes down. - **Strong Jaws:** European Hornets can chew through wood and insects with their strong mandibles that help them build nests and process food. - **Aerial Predator:** The European Hornet can fly swiftly to catch flying insects because of its powerful wings and sharp eyesight. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-70 mm - **Size:** 20-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 800 ## Diet & Feeding These busy insects hunt other insects and enjoy sweet tree sap or ripe fruit! - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Crickets, Caterpillars, Bees, Tree sap, Ripe fruit - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — controls fly populations as prey - **Eaten by:** European Honey Buzzard (*Pernis apivorus*) — raids nests for larvae and adults - **Depends on:** Common Oak (*Quercus robur*) — feeds on tree sap from this species - **Hunts:** Common Wasp (*Vespula vulgaris*) — competes with and preys on other wasp species ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate If you see a hornet, it's best to stay calm and walk away slowly. Don't swat at them! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Hornet? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is European Hornet's wingspan? 40-70 mm ### How big is European Hornet? 20-35 mm ### How long does European Hornet live? 14-365 days ### How fast can European Hornet fly? 20 km/h ### What does European Hornet eat? These busy insects hunt other insects and enjoy sweet tree sap or ripe fruit! ### Where is European Hornet usually found? Forests ### How does European Hornet hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Popes Head Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/popes-head-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Bethabara Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bethabara-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District - [Colonial Annapolis Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colonial-annapolis-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Coulsontown Cottages Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coulsontown-cottages-historic-district) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic District - [Dickeyville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dickeyville-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/falls-of-the-ohio-national-wildlife-conservation-area) — Indiana, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see European Hornet](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-hornet) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [European Hornet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hornet)