A neighbour killed this insect in their bedroom and is freaking out that it is a giant Japanese hornet that predates bees (and possibly people). Any thoughts? (Hard to tell much from the pic, perhaps).
Asiatic hornets (the bad invasive ones) only have one obvious yellow band and are mostly black/dark brown and European ones have one large black band near the body end of the abdomen and are mostly yellow.
I'd go with European hornet. Although larger than the common wasp, they're more docile. Signings should be enjoyed not feared. Unfortunately you get "journalists" writing socially irresponsible garbage stoking up fears that they're worse than monsters from space. (I could link to such a Daily Mail article to but I don't want to reward them with ad money)
As for asian hornets, there does seem to be some confusion. There's the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) which is the one that is now in Europe and the UK, and which decimates honey bee hives. However some people hear 'asian hornet' and think of what is actually the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) which is the one that should make you panic but which is most definitely not in Europe.
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wild edgesThe north west of south east WalesPosts: 8,873
Yes, I think the size of the creature freaked them out. They are glad to know man-eating Japanese invaders are not flying about eating small children and small dogs. I guess one can blame the Daily Mail. 🙄
We love hornets ... they’re beautiful, they do such a lot of good and really aren’t aggressive ... but if there’s a nest nearby you may need to keep windows shut in the evenings when the house lights are on ... they’re drawn to them ‘like a moth to a flame’ ...
“I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh
We have hornets that come down for drink at the pond, sounds like a helecopter passing by, I think I hold my breath slightly but they are more interested in finding food than lil o me sitting there with a cup of tea and a good book.
“Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint and the soil and sky as canvas." -Elizabeth Murray.
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As for asian hornets, there does seem to be some confusion. There's the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) which is the one that is now in Europe and the UK, and which decimates honey bee hives. However some people hear 'asian hornet' and think of what is actually the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) which is the one that should make you panic but which is most definitely not in Europe.
We love hornets ... they’re beautiful, they do such a lot of good and really aren’t aggressive ... but if there’s a nest nearby you may need to keep windows shut in the evenings when the house lights are on ... they’re drawn to them ‘like a moth to a flame’ ...