Wildlife watch: European hornet
Hornets have quite the reputation, but Kate Bradbury explains why the European hornet is much less agressive than common and German wasps and how you should help them in your garden
Britain’s largest social wasp, Vespa crabo is an impressive beast. Queens are still on the wing in late autumn, taking the last of the nectar from ivy flowers, along with pulp from fruit such as windfall apples. At 35mm long, they have a red-brown thorax with yellow and brown stripes along the abdomen, and red-brown legs.
Despite its fearsome reputation, the European hornet is much less aggressive than common and German wasps. It makes paper nests in dark, secluded areas such as tree holes. The queen (or reproductive female) founds the nest in spring and the workers (or non-reproductive females) gather insect food to feed the grubs. In late summer, daughter queens and males mate with those from other nests, before the males die and the queens hibernate. They establish a new nest the following spring.
Don’t mistake Vespa crabo for the Asian hornet, Vespa velutina, which is smaller than our native hornet and is mostly black with a yellow band on its fourth abdominal segment, and yellow legs. If you see an Asian hornet then take a photo to confirm your sighting and download the Asian Hornet Watch app on your phone, to report it.
How to help European hornet
The main way to help hornets is to give them space. Many nest in holes in trees, holes in walls, outbuilding and even abandoned beehives. Let them get on with their nesting activities and remember that nests are annual, so will be gone with the first decent frosts.
Hornets feed insects to their young so make sure there are plenty in your garden. Grow lots of native plants for leaf munchers such as aphids, thrips and caterpillars, along with plenty of flowering plants for bees and other insects, including flies. Don’t begrudge them some of your home-grown fruit. While it can be frustrating, there’s usually plenty to go around. If you leave windfalls on the ground the hornets may be less likely to eat those still on the tree.
Potentially, our native European hornet could be confused with the Asian hornet, and vilified or killed as a result. Make sure you know how to tell the difference between these two species and educate your friends and family. You never know, this could prevent our beautiful native hornet from being squished or having its nests removed, while more accurate reporting will help scientists keep an eye on population movements of the Asian hornet.
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