hornets

 The Asian giant hornet, scientifically known as Vespa mandarinia, is the largest hornet species in the world. Native to temperate and tropical climates in East Asia, it has gained attention globally due to its size, aggressive behaviour, and potential impact on local ecosystems and human activities. Known colloquially as the "murder hornet," this species is both feared and studied for its powerful sting and its predatory habits, particularly against honeybees.

Asian giant hornets are formidable in size, measuring about 3.5 to 4 centimetres (1.4 to 1.6 inches) in length, with queens being slightly larger. They have a distinctive yellow-orange head with large, prominent eyes and powerful mandibles. Their thorax is dark brown, and the abdomen features alternating bands of brown and yellow-orange. The wingspan of these hornets can reach up to 7.5 centimetres (3 inches). They possess a long stinger, about 6 millimetres (0.24 inches) in length, which can inject a potent venom.

Asian giant hornets are social insects that live in colonies, typically founded by a single queen. These colonies can contain several hundred individuals by the end of the season. The hornets are highly territorial and will aggressively defend their nests if disturbed.

Their diet is primarily carnivorous, and they are known for their predatory behaviour, especially towards honeybees. Asian giant hornets can decimate entire bee colonies during the "slaughter phase," where they kill bees by decapitating them and then take the thoraxes back to their nests to feed their larvae. They also consume other insects, tree sap, and fruits.

Asian giant hornets typically build their nests in hidden locations such as underground cavities, abandoned rodent burrows, or occasionally in tree hollows and human structures. The nests are constructed from a paper-like material made by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva. The nests consist of multiple combs, where the queen lays her eggs, and are protected by an outer envelope.

The queen starts building the nest in the spring and lays eggs in the cells. Initially, she performs all the tasks, including foraging and nest maintenance. As the first generation of workers emerges, they take over these duties, allowing the queen to focus on egg-laying. By late summer and early autumn, the colony produces new queens and males. After mating, the new queens seek hibernation sites to survive the winter, while the rest of the colony, including the old queen and males, dies off.

Asian giant hornets pose a significant threat to human health and agriculture. Their stings are extremely painful and can be fatal to humans who are allergic to their venom. Multiple stings can also cause severe reactions, even in non-allergic individuals, due to the large amount of venom injected.

Their predation on honeybee colonies poses a substantial threat to agriculture, as honeybees are crucial pollinators for many crops. The presence of Asian giant hornets can lead to significant economic losses for beekeepers and farmers.

Efforts to manage and contain Asian giant hornet populations include monitoring and trapping, nest removal, and public education on avoiding and reporting sightings. In regions where they are not native, preventing their spread is a high priority to protect local ecosystems and agricultural practices.

Asian giant hornets are adaptable and can thrive in various habitats, including forests, mountains, lowland areas, and urban environments. They prefer areas with abundant food sources and suitable nesting sites.

The bald-faced hornet, scientifically known as Dolichovespula maculata, is a large and striking wasp native to North America. Despite its common name, it is not a true hornet but rather a species of yellowjacket. Known for its aggressive behaviour in defending its nest, the bald-faced hornet is both a predator of other insects and a key player in its ecosystem.

Bald-faced hornets are easily recognizable by their distinctive black and white colouring. Adults typically measure between 12 to 20 millimetres (0.5 to 0.8 inches) in length. Their bodies are primarily black with white or light yellow markings on the face, thorax, and the tips of their abdomens. The striking contrast of these colours makes them quite noticeable. They have two pairs of wings, with the forewings being larger than the hindwings, and long, segmented antennae. Females possess a stinger that is used for defence and hunting.

Bald-faced hornets are social insects that live in large colonies, usually numbering between 100 to 400 individuals by the end of the summer. The colony is founded by a single queen in the spring. These hornets are highly territorial and will aggressively defend their nests if they sense a threat.

Their diet is diverse, including nectar and plant sap for adults, while the larvae are fed a diet of chewed-up insects, primarily other wasps and flies. This predatory behavior helps control pest populations, making bald-faced hornets beneficial in natural pest management. They are also known to scavenge on human food and garbage, especially in late summer and fall when natural food sources become scarce.

Bald-faced hornets are renowned for their impressive nest-building skills. They construct large, paper-like nests, often football-shaped, made from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. These nests are typically located in trees, shrubs, or on buildings, at a height of up to 3 meters (10 feet) or more above the ground. The nests consist of multiple layers of hexagonal combs enclosed in a protective outer layer with a single entrance at the bottom.

The queen starts building the nest in the spring and lays eggs in the cells. Initially, she performs all the duties, including foraging and nest maintenance. As the first generation of worker hornets matures, they take over these tasks, allowing the queen to focus solely on egg-laying. By late summer, the colony produces new queens and males. After mating, the new queens leave the nest to find hibernation sites for the winter, while the rest of the colony, including the old queen and males, dies off as temperatures drop.

Bald-faced hornets can pose a significant threat to humans due to their aggressive nature and painful stings. They will defend their nests vigorously, and their stings can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. However, they are beneficial in controlling pest insect populations.

To manage bald-faced hornet populations around homes, it is advisable to remove nests early in the season when they are still small and to use preventative measures to discourage nesting. This includes sealing potential nesting sites and using hornet repellents.

Bald-faced hornets are adaptable and can thrive in a variety of environments, including forests, suburban areas, and urban settings. They prefer locations with abundant food sources and suitable nesting sites, such as trees, shrubs, and building eaves.