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Yellow-legged Hornet

Vespa velutina

The Yellow-legged Hornet is a large wasp with bright yellow legs. They build big nests in trees and are known for their unique yellow and black stripes. They can be found buzzing around flowers and gardens.

Habitat: Urban areas, forests

Appearance

The Yellow-legged Hornet is predominantly dark brown or black with a distinctive single narrow yellow-orange band on its abdomen. Its legs have striking yellow tips, earning it its common name. The face is typically orange-yellow.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyVespidaeGenusVespa
Yellow-legged Hornet
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Yellow-legged Hornet

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A single queen hornet starts her huge colony all by herself each spring!

These hornets can chew wood pulp to build enormous, intricate paper nests!

They are masters of flight, able to hover perfectly still before catching prey!

Yellow-legged Hornets are a major threat to honeybees, often attacking their hives!

Special abilities

Ability

Venomous Sting

Yellow-legged Hornet can deliver a painful, venomous sting to defend its colony or subdue prey, using its sharp ovipositor.

Ability

Aerial Hunter

Yellow-legged Hornet can swiftly capture flying insects mid-air with powerful jaws and agile flight, providing protein for its young.

Ability

Paper Architect

Yellow-legged Hornet has the ability to chew wood pulp, constructing large, multi-layered paper nests that protect its growing colony.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-45 mm
Size
17-32 mm
Lifespan
30-365 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
1000-6000

Diet & Feeding

They hunt many insects, especially honeybees, to feed their young, while adults sip nectar.

Age differences: Adults drink nectar for energy, but larvae are fed chewed-up insects by workers.

Primary Foods

  • Honeybees
  • Flies
  • Spiders
  • Wasps
  • Caterpillars

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Major predator of adult honeybees and their larvae.

hunts

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Preys on bumblebees, taking adults and larvae.

hunts

Fruit Fly

Drosophila melanogaster

Captures various small flying insects for protein.

depends on

Common Fig

Ficus carica

Adults feed on ripe, sweet fruit for energy.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

If you see a hornet, it's best to stay calm and walk away slowly. Don't try to touch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yellow-legged Hornet's wingspan?

25-45 mm

How big is Yellow-legged Hornet?

17-32 mm

How long does Yellow-legged Hornet live?

30-365 days

How fast can Yellow-legged Hornet fly?

20 km/h

What does Yellow-legged Hornet eat?

They hunt many insects, especially honeybees, to feed their young, while adults sip nectar.

Where is Yellow-legged Hornet usually found?

Urban areas, forests

How does Yellow-legged Hornet hunt?

Pursuit

How many legs does Yellow-legged Hornet have?

6

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