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| Scientific name: Arthropoda: Insecta: Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespa crabro germana Common Name: European Hornet Country: USA Photographer: D. S. Kjar Identifier: Observatory Garden Additional Information: This 5-cm long wasp is a queen European Hornet that overwintered, and might have started a colony. This alien species is one of perhaps several hundred alien insect species that now live in the Washington, D.C., Area. Dan "sedated" this wasp by placing her in a freezer for about 1 minute. After she recovered from the cold , he released her. The European Hornet is the second largest wasp in the WDC Area, next to the Cicada Killer (Sphecidae), and the only true (taxonomic) hornet in the contiguous 48 states. European Hornets are social and defend their nests with strong stings. They feed on many kinds of insects including cicadas, dragonflies, flies, and yellowjackets. These Hornets do not specialize on cicadas as does the Cicada Killer, however. Cicada Killers are nonsocial wasps, which do not attack Humans, even if a person is very close to one's nest. Cicada Killers are highly beneficial wasps, and should not be killed. D. S. K., E. M. B. To learn more about European Hornets, please go to http://www.photoweb.ru/prophoto/Gallery/spiders/herhen.htm http://research.amnh.org/entomology/social_insects/introwasps.html Malcolm, S. 2002. BioImages - Virtual Field-Guide (UK). http://www.bioimages.org.uk/ (2 May 2002) To learn more about Cicada Killers, please go to http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/misc/ef004.htm |
