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Stinging
Insects: Giant Hornets
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Malcolm
Storey,
www.bioimages.org.uk
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Common
name: Giant hornets
Scientific name: Vespa crabro Also
known as: European hornet, Old World hornet,
sand hornet, brown hornet Size: 3/4
to 1-1/8 inch long Commonly
confused with: yellow jackets, bald-faced hornet Distinguishing
marks:
- very
large
- head,
thorax, 1st abdominal segment, and legs are reddish-brown
- remainder
of abdomen is dark yellow with dark bands and small spots
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Distribution: southern
Massachusetts, south to Georgia, west to Indiana Habitat: usually
forests; sometimes in barns and other buildings Life
cycle: Giant hornets are social insects with
an annual colony. Each spring, mated queens emerge
from hibernation and start new colonies. Nests are
often found under porches and in protected cavities,
such as hollow tree trunks. The nest is constructed
of chewed tree bark and mud. Worker hornets forage
for other insects, such as caterpillars, to feed to
the developing young. Although mainly a predator, these
hornets will also eat sugary liquids, such as sap and
fruit juices. Colony populations can grow to 1,000
individuals by the end of the season. Towards the end
of the summer, males and new queens develop. After
mating, the new queens find a suitable site to hibernate
during the winter, typically in buildings or under
loose bark. The workers, males, and the old queen perish
in the fall. Nests are not reused.
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Giant
hornet in a defensive position,
Malcolm Storey, www.bioimages.org.uk
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Inside
a Giant Hornet nest, Robert W. Matthews
The University of Georgia, www.insectimages.org
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Damage: Hornets
chew holes in ripe fruits, especially grapes and apples, to obtain
sugar. They scrape off the tender bark of young deciduous forest
trees to obtain construction materials and sugary sap. They may
also raid honey bee nests. Hornets nesting in a home or other
building may pose a stinging hazard.
Benefits: These
hornets are voracious predators of other insects
and may help control populations of harmful insect
pests
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Management: Colonies
die each fall, and old nests are not reused. If present
in a wall of a dwelling, do not plug the entrance, as the
hornets will most likely chew a new one, possibly into
a living area. If the hornets do not pose a threat, treatment
may not be necessary. If they are nesting in a high traffic
area and control is desired, seek professional help since
there is a risk of being stung. For control, use an approved “Wasp
and Hornet” spray that propels a stream of insecticide
15-25 feet. Treatment is most effective in the evening
when the majority of the insects are in the nest. Be sure
to dress appropriately. Wear eye protection, a long-sleeved
shirt, trousers and boots, and secure your sleeves and
pant legs. Establish an unobstructed escape route and be
ready to move quickly away if any of the hornets fly towards
you. If you require illumination, use a flashlight covered
with red cellophane for light - hornets cannot see red.
You may need to repeat the treatment two or three times
on consecutive evenings. |
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Sting: These
insects mostly avoid confrontation and will usually only
sting if threatened. In the presence of a hornet, avoid
rapid movements, blocking their flight path and vibrating
or disturbing the nest. If you are stung, cooling the
area with ice may be soothing.
Remember! Insect
stings can elicit a life-threatening, allergic reaction in
some individuals. Check with your physician to determine
what symptoms require a visit
to the emergency room. Never attempt any control measure
if you have a known allergy to insect stings.
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Giant
Hornet caught in a net, Malcolm Storey
www.bioimages.org.uk
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Further sources: Akre,
R.D., A. Greene, J.F. MacDonald, P.J. Landolt, and H.G.
Davis. 1980. Yellow jackets of America North of Mexico. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook No.
552, 102 pp.
Prepared
by: Kathryn Gardner, Carolyn Klass, and Nicholas Calderone
Date Prepared: July 2004
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