Vespa crabro (hornet)

The hornet genus Vespa is distinctive. All species within the genus are large wasps with a characteristic head shape - in dorsal view, the 'temples' of the head are widened. Vespa crabro also has a completely yellow face and brown mesoscutum (top of the thorax).

Vespa crabro is the only indigenous hornet throughout northern and western Europe and northern Asia, but it is 1 of 24 species of Vespa, most of which are found in tropical south-east Asia.

No other species of hornet has been found nesting in Britain and none is expected to arrive in the near future.

Species detail

Face of the hornet © Natural History Museum, London

Within Europe, there are 2 native species of Vespa: Vespa crabro and Vespa orientalis. The latter is found mainly in south-eastern Europe, as far north-west as Naples.

Recently, a third species, Vespa velutina, has been accidentally introduced from south-east Asia to France. Within France, Vespa velutina is spreading but is unlikely to reach Britain in the near future.

Taxonomy

Hornets belong to the insect order Hymenoptera which includes wasps, bees, ants, parasitoid wasps and sawflies. Find out more.
Distribution

Vespa crabro has a wide distribution, and is still expanding its range. Find out where you might spot it.
Biology

Like wasps and ants, hornets rear their young collectively in colonies. Discover how the unusual reproductive strategy of these insects may have influenced this social behaviour.