Temperment: Moderately aggressive
Habit: Social
Nest Location: Above-ground
Food: Insects, nectar
Description:
Also known as giant hornets, these brown and yellow insects resemble an oversized yellow jacket. European hornets have been introduced in the United States and are the only true hornet in this country. They are social insects that build their nests in tree voids, houses or inside of a structure that affords protection from the elements. A mature nest may contain an average of 600 workers that are predators of other large insects. Due to the size of their prey, hornet nests differ from other stinging insects by the fowl odor of rotting insect parts and fecal deposits.
Paper wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are the common, troublesome wasps. They capture insects to feed their young throughout the summer. In the late fall, they stop rearing their young and concentrate on feeding on
flower nectar and other sweet liquids. This is when they become serious nuisances around back yards, picnic areas, soda machines and other places where beverages or foods containing sugar are found. In addition to the
change in their food habits, the insects' coloniess have reached their largest size and encounters with people become more frequent.
Special Notes:
The workers will fly at night and can be a nuisance around porch lights. European hornets are also known for girdling the soft outer layer of new growth on trees to feed on the soft tissue inside. Severe girdling can kill the tree.
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