Hornets have always been considered particularly dangerous. According to an old rule of thumb, three hornet bites can kill a person and seven can kill a horse. The truth is, however, that Vespa crabro, as the European hornet is scientifically called, is more peaceful and its sting is by no means more dangerous than any of the other native wasp or bee species. According to experts like Tarja Richter from the State Association for Bird Protection (LBV), hornets only sting “if they are massively disturbed or pursued” – in other words, when they are in dire need. Otherwise, they tend to be shy and avoid people. In addition, hornets are rather rare.
At least so far. Because this year there are apparently a comparatively large number of hornets buzzing around. At any rate, in the current Insect Summer of the LBV, in which laypeople spend an hour counting the insects they see in their garden, on a meadow, in a wooded area or elsewhere, the European hornet currently ranks ninth. Their main flight time does not begin until August. In the insect summer of 2022, the hornet was only in 21st place at the end of June.
Vespa crabro is the largest native wasp species. The queens grow up to 3.5 centimeters, the workers and drones a good two and a half centimetres. Its sister species, the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), which is now also found in Europe, is smaller. However, it has not yet been detected in Bavaria. The European hornet is not only easy to recognize by its size. But also because of their coloring: the head and body are black and red or reddish-brown. The abdomen is three-colored: the first section is also red, followed by a dark spot, the other sections are yellow with black markings.
Hornets live in colonies of 400 to 700 insects. The larvae need protein-rich food for their development. Therefore, the workers hunt all kinds of insects and spiders. This includes those that people find annoying, such as wasps, horse flies or flies. According to the State Office for the Environment, a large colony of hornets feeds up to half a kilo of insects to its brood every day. Hornets are also the only wasp species that fly and hunt at night.
Strictly protected
In addition, Vespa crabro is strictly protected. The animals must not be killed and their nests must not be destroyed. Hornets build their nests in all sorts of cavities above or below ground. Since natural cavities such as hollow trees are becoming increasingly rare, the animals are increasingly turning to niches in attics or sheds, wooden paneling on facades, bird nests or roller shutter boxes and other substitutes. If a hornet’s nest disturbs one or another place and is to be relocated, the nature conservation authorities must issue a special permit for this.
The LBV expert Richter says, however, “that nothing stands in the way of a peaceful neighborhood if you just leave the hornets alone”. Richter is now very curious to see whether the further course of the LBV insect summer will confirm that there are significantly more hornets this year than in previous years.