Hornet

Vespa crabro
Wasps (Vespidae)

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Large wasp with a red head. The rear starts red but is mainly yellow with black rings. The head and breast are red and black, yellow jaws and long shaped eyes.

The workers are much smaller than the queen. Nests are often made in hollow trees and sometimes in cracks or attics. Feeds mostly on flies or other insects, flower nectar and tree sap. Not very aggressive and stings only when threatened. 

⇔ l. 18-35 mm

syn. VESPA VULGATA, MACROVESPA CRABRO, European hornet

A large wasp with a painful sting although the toxicity is less compared to other wasps. Like most wasps, only the fertilised ♀ survive the winter.

LA:
≈ The VOLUCELLA ZONARIA (Hornet mimic hoverfly) has round eyes like a fly and wider wings and is not able to sting.
≈ VESPA VELUTINA (Asian hornet) remains slightly smaller, has yellow legs, a different back pattern and a black instead of red head and chest. See photo LA.

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