# Hornet (*Spilomyia*) Hornets are larger wasps that build big nests in trees. They can be protective of their homes. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Habitat:** Forests and suburban areas - **Also known as:** Vespa Crabro ![Hornet](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424329/objects/5467.jpg) ## Appearance The Hornet is a large, robust insect with a distinctly segmented body, typically marked with bold yellow or orange and black bands. Its head is broad, and it has clear, membranous wings, making it look much chunkier and less hairy than a bee, and often larger than many other common wasps. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Syrphidae - **Genus:** Spilomyia ## Interesting facts - Hornet queens start their whole colony by themselves after winter! - Hornet venom has special chemicals to mark enemies for other hornets! - Some hornets are active hunters even at night, using moonlight to see! - Their amazing nests are made entirely from chewed wood pulp, like paper! ## Special abilities - **Powerful Sting:** Hornet has a potent venomous sting that helps them defend their nest and paralyze prey. - **Paper Architects:** Hornet can chew wood pulp mixed with saliva to build complex, multi-layered paper nests. - **Nocturnal Hunter:** Hornet can hunt for insects even at night, using their keen vision to find prey in low light. - **Temperature Control:** Hornet can vibrate their flight muscles to generate heat, helping to keep their nest warm and stable. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-55 mm - **Size:** 18-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 200-1000 ## Diet & Feeding Hornets are fierce hunters that eat other insects and enjoy sugary treats like tree sap. - **Age differences:** Adult hornets consume sugars from sap and fruit, while also hunting insects to feed their growing larvae. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Caterpillars, Bees, Wasps, Tree Sap, Ripe Fruit - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — Hornet often hunts honeybees near their hives for protein. - **Eaten by:** European Honey Buzzard (*Pernis apivorus*) — Young hornets and nests are a primary food for this bird. - **Eaten by:** [European Badger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-badger) (*Meles meles*) — Badgers dig up hornet nests found in the ground to eat the larvae. - **Depends on:** [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) — Hornets often collect sap from oak trees for their own energy. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [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. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hornet? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Hornet's wingspan? 30-55 mm ### How big is Hornet? 18-35 mm ### How long does Hornet live? 15-60 days ### How fast can Hornet fly? 25 km/h ### What does Hornet eat? Hornets are fierce hunters that eat other insects and enjoy sugary treats like tree sap. ### Where is Hornet usually found? Forests and suburban areas ### How does Hornet hunt? Pursuit ## 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: [Hornet: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hornet)