# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Urban areas, forests ![Yellow-legged Hornet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Vespa_velutina_nigrithorax_MHNT.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vespa_velutina_nigrithorax_MHNT.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Vespidae - **Genus:** Vespa ## 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 - **Venomous Sting:** Yellow-legged Hornet can deliver a painful, venomous sting to defend its colony or subdue prey, using its sharp ovipositor. - **Aerial Hunter:** Yellow-legged Hornet can swiftly capture flying insects mid-air with powerful jaws and agile flight, providing protein for its young. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fruit-fly) (*Drosophila melanogaster*) — Captures various small flying insects for protein. - **Depends on:** [Common Fig](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-fig) (*Ficus carica*) — Adults feed on ripe, sweet fruit for energy. ## 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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. - [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 try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Yellow-legged 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 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 ## 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: [Yellow-legged Hornet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-legged-hornet)