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Is it a hornet or a queen wasp? We show you which unique features make it relatively easy to tell the difference.
In a nutshell
- both species must not be killed
- easy to distinguish by colour
- Hornets are bigger
- Wasps and hornets are beneficial insects in the garden
- Wasps become aggressive faster
hornet
Hornets are often more feared than wasps, although they are usually much more peaceful. This is due to their size and overall appearance, which earned them the name "giant wasp". However, it is not always easy to tell the difference to wasps, since the workers of the hornet are of a similar size.
Distinctive features include:
- small colony of only up to 700 animals
- posterior part of body conspicuously yellow
- Length from 18 to 35 millimeters
- reddish-brown head and body
- very low hum
- The front and back are separated by a slight waist
However, the best differentiators are still size and coloration. However, a queen wasp is difficult to differentiate due to her size.
Hornet, Vespa crabro
Notice: They feed on predators and can therefore only be found on flowers and plants when other insects also gather there.
wasp queen
Wasp queens can be confused with hornets mainly because they are comparatively large. In terms of body length, they roughly correspond to a worker hornet.
Distinctive features are also:
- Worker wasps 11 to 14 millimeters long
- clearly recognizable wasp waist
- no hair
- Body length of the wasp queen up to 20 millimeters
- black stripe coloring from the head
- State size from 3,000 to 4,000 animals
Source: marsupium photography, Creepy crawlies (17002806759), Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
In the case of the wasp queens, the torso is visually much more distinct from the abdomen and they have a more even stripe pattern. However, this can usually only be seen if the insects are at rest long enough.
Another indication can be that the wasps are more often found on flowers or on the outdoor dining table. They feed mainly on plant sources such as :
- tree saps
- nectar
- pollen
On the other hand, when caring for the offspring, they switch to food that is high in protein and high in sugar. Therefore, jam and cake can be just as attractive to them as, for example, ham.
nests
Depending on the temperatures, the queen wasp and hornets fly out of their winter quarters between late April and early June and begin building a nest for the entire colony. To do this, they use wood, among other things, which they scrape from tree bark, trees, rotten wood or building material. Paper and cardboard are also used.
Together with saliva, the wood fibers are glued together and the nest is strengthened and expanded until the queen has laid the first eggs. This task is then taken over by the hatched workers. The full size is therefore not reached until August or even September.
wasp nest:
- round shape
- About the size of a medicine ball
- in the ground or other dark, sheltered places
- Nests often difficult to spot
Wasp nest with exit hole and air pockets
hornets nest:
- elongated shape
- up to 60 cm
- trees as base
- also roof trusses or house walls
time
Due to nest building and reproduction, the queen hornet and queen wasp are only active between April and June. After that, their main job is to lay eggs. From this point on, the workers take care of the nest and care. If you spot a supposed queen wasp in July or August, it is very likely a hornet.
frequently asked Questions
Can the wasp nest be removed?No, just like a hornet's nest, it cannot simply be removed. However, there are exceptions if it poses a risk. This can be the case, for example, when the nest is indoors or in high-traffic areas. Professional help should be sought for repositioning or removal.
Are hornets more dangerous than wasps?No, as long as you are not directly threatened, the animals are extremely peaceful. This is one of the reasons why they are seen less frequently than wasps.
Why are hornets and wasps useful?Hornets in particular feed largely on harmful insects. They therefore help protect plants and maintain a natural balance.
Do the hornets and wasps hibernate?Only one young queen goes into hibernation. The rest of the state only lives for a year or season and dies in the fall. Hibernation does not take place in the nest. The animals are looking for another quarters.
Should uninhabited nests be removed?No, because they can have a deterrent effect and are usually only inhabited once. It is therefore neither necessary nor beneficial to remove them.