Characteristics of the European hornet

In the great hornet family, we present the European hornet! Quite different in some respects from its Asian cousin, we'd like to tell you a little more about this little beast that makes some people tremble! So let's zoom in on the European Hornet!

In the great hornet family, we present the European hornet! Quite different in some respects from its Asian cousin, we'd like to tell you a little more about this little beast that makes some people tremble! So let's zoom in on the European Hornet!

Who is the European Hornet?

Let's start with a few introductions. Let's face it, at first glance, the European Hornet doesn't have a very positive reputation. And yet he's not deliberately mean! But we'll see about that later! For now, let's meet the Vespa Crabro, as it's known in the lab.

It's a member of the Hymenoptera family . This family of insects includes bees, wasps and bumblebees. As the name suggests, they are native to Europe. But also from northern Asia. It was subsequently introduced to the Americas and Africa. It is also one of the so-called eusocial species. To be clear and concise, these are species with a highly evolved mode of organization. They are highly cohesive, with a strong system of exchange and cohabitation. Let's take a closer look at the European Hornet.

The look of the European Hornet

Visually speaking, the European Hornet looks much like a common wasp. Only, it will be two to three times larger! Clearly, the European Hornet is the largest specimen of its species! In fact, the size of the queen of the nest can reach 4 cm! As for the workers, they measure between 1.8 and 2.5 cm.

In terms of physical appearance, the European hornet can come in 9 different colors, depending on its geographic zone. But the most common color is a reddish-yellow abdomen with black stripes. It also has a yellow face, with a sort of black mask. Above its head, two reddish antennae are revealed. Its small, masked head ends in extraordinarily well-shaped and well-developed mandibles. The European Hornet is just as impressive for its looks as for the sound of its noisy flight. In fact, it's not always easy for most people to tell them apart from the impressive and noisy Asian hornet. Let's see what separates them.

What's the difference between the European and Asian hornets?

It's not always easy to tell the difference between the European hornet and its mythical cousin. Yet there are many points of difference. First and foremost, size. The European Hornet is taller than its colleague. Similarly, their colors don 't really match. To be more precise, the Asian Hornet has a much darker body, and its legs are black and yellow. What's more, their behavior is markedly different. Indeed, the Asian hornet is clearly more aggressive, as it can attack in groups and in bursts, causing multiple stings. Whereas our native European specimen will only sting when threatened. In fact, it's often when you approach its nest that it becomes suspicious and may feel the need to defend itself. But how do you recognize a European hornet nest?

European hornet nests and colonies

The peculiarity of the European hornet's nest lies in the fact that they like to build them in low, dark spaces, away from prying eyes! This explains why they can be found in tree stumps and trunks, but also in attics and fireplaces! Their nest has a large, downward-facing opening, which they like to cover with a thick brown envelope. But that doesn't make it any stronger. In fact, hornets build their nests mainly from rotten wood, which they mix together beforehand, so they are easily destroyed.

As for their colonies, these are generally made up of around a hundred individuals. They reach their peak in late summer, around mid-September. But by autumn, the entire colony has perished. Yes, the European Hornet lives and dies in a single year!

But young females persist. They set off in search of a new nesting site. Once they've built their nests from kneaded and salivated wood, they lay around forty eggs a day . This is the birth of the brand-new colony. So what should you do if you come across one of these mythical but fragile constructions?

What should you do if you come across a European hornet's nest?

It's not at all impossible that you'll come across a European hornet's nest. All the more so in view of the places they prefer to set up their nests. For example, you may come across one right next to your home. Even more so if you're living in a house, where your roof may give them great ambitions! In any case, if you see one nearby, we advise you to contact a specialist. Indeed, if the individuals in the colony feel threatened, their aggressiveness increases tenfold. So you'll understand that it's advisable to call in trained professionals to deal with them, and thus avert any danger. For the record, firefighters are no longer involved in this type of operation. It should be noted, however, that European-designated Hymenoptera are not considered an invasive species. In fact, preserving them is important for the ecological role they play.

The importance of the European hornet in the ecosystem

In fact, by devouring 60 to 80 flies a day, they help reduce harmful insect populations. And by getting rid of them, the European hornet allows flora to flourish. And although European hornets are carnivores, they are no more dangerous to bees than that. In fact, they give bees the time they need to complete their pollination tasks. So there's no need to worry beekeepers. This species makes a major contribution to biodiversity. And it's not dangerous for humans either. In fact, in some parts of the world, the European Hornet is a protected species. So there's nothing to worry about when it comes to biodiversity.