Hornet
The Hornet is an impressive insect and is the UK's largest social wasp. Despite their rather fearsome appearance, they are rarely aggressive and the species has been much maligned and will usually only attack if the colony is threatened.
Queens (reproductive females) are larger than males and workers (non-reproductive females. The head features large, c-shaped eyes, robust antennae and three simple eyes arranged in a triangle between the main eyes. The thorax and abdomen are separated by a distinct “wasp-waist” and there are alternating bright orange-yellow and brownish-black stripes along the abdomen. There are two pairs of wings, which are joined together by means of tiny hooks, giving the appearance that there is just one pair of wings.
The Hornet was considered rare in Britain in the 1960s but it has since made a recovery and has become fairly common in some parts of the south of England and seems to be spreading northwards.
Hornets nest in hollow trees, wall cavities, chimneys and similar structures and show a preference for wooded areas.
Date: 26th August 2007
Location: Stow Maries Halt EWT reserve, Stow Maries, Essex
Queens (reproductive females) are larger than males and workers (non-reproductive females. The head features large, c-shaped eyes, robust antennae and three simple eyes arranged in a triangle between the main eyes. The thorax and abdomen are separated by a distinct “wasp-waist” and there are alternating bright orange-yellow and brownish-black stripes along the abdomen. There are two pairs of wings, which are joined together by means of tiny hooks, giving the appearance that there is just one pair of wings.
The Hornet was considered rare in Britain in the 1960s but it has since made a recovery and has become fairly common in some parts of the south of England and seems to be spreading northwards.
Hornets nest in hollow trees, wall cavities, chimneys and similar structures and show a preference for wooded areas.
Date: 26th August 2007
Location: Stow Maries Halt EWT reserve, Stow Maries, Essex
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Also in: Insects and beetles
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