Pestipedia

Vespa Hornets

**Vespa Hornets** refers to all species in the genus *Vespa*, which includes the native **European Hornet** (*V. crabro*) and highly invasive species like the **Asian Giant Hornet** (*V. mandarinia*) and the **Yellow-legged Hornet** (*V. velutina*). The conflict is **severe stinging risk, predation, and public health**: they deliver extremely painful and potentially lethal stings (especially *V. mandarinia*), and the invasive species actively prey on honey bees and native pollinators, causing devastating losses to managed apiaries.

Taxonomy and Classification

Hornets belong to the Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Wasps, Bees) and the Family Vespidae. They are social insects that form large, complex colonies inside paper nests.

Physical Description

Adults are large, 25 mm to 55 mm long (Giant Hornet Queen).

  • **Adult (Key ID):** Very large body size; reddish-brown or black/yellow coloration; large head with powerful mandibles.
  • **Nest (Key ID):** Large, enclosed paper nests built underground, in tree cavities, or high in trees (invasive species).
  • **Sting ID:** Highly painful; venom is potent and large amounts are delivered; capable of stinging repeatedly.
  • **Conflict:** Public Health (Severe Sting), Agricultural (Bee Predation).

Distribution and Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe. Invasive species are spreading globally. Habitat is forests and urban areas, with nests built in protected cavities.

Behavior and Conflict

The conflict is their aggressive defense and predatory behavior.

  • **Mass Attack:** Invasive species (like *V. mandarinia*) perform coordinated mass attacks on honey bee colonies, quickly killing the adult bees and harvesting the brood.
  • **Defensive Radius:** They aggressively defend a large radius around their nest.

Management and Prevention

Management is **Eradication and Monitoring**.

  • **Eradication (Key):**
    • For invasive species, management involves **intensive monitoring** (trapping, citizen sighting reporting) followed by **rapid location and destruction** of the nest by specialists.
  • **Native Species:**
    • Native species are typically controlled only when nesting near human activity.

    • Conservation and Research

    Research is a high global priority for invasive species, focusing on developing specific lures (pheromones/baits) for trapping and using tracking technology (radio tags) to locate and destroy their nests quickly.