The European hornet (Vespa crabro) often raises questions about its invasive status, especially with public attention on other non-native hornets. Understanding this large insect involves examining its origins, its established role in North American ecosystems, and distinct features for accurate identification.
Understanding European Hornets
The European hornet is the largest eusocial wasp native to Europe, with its natural range extending across Eurasia, from Japan to the United Kingdom, and into North Africa. These social insects construct intricate paper-like nests using chewed wood fibers. Worker European hornets measure around 25 millimeters (1 inch) in length, while queens can reach up to 35 millimeters (1.4 inches).
Introduced to New York around 1840, this species has since become well-established across much of the eastern United States. Its current distribution extends westward to the Mississippi River and as far south as Louisiana and the Dakotas. It is currently the only true hornet (Vespa) found throughout most of North America.
Their Invasive Status and Impact
An invasive species is defined as a non-native organism that causes harm to the economy, environment, or human health. While the European hornet is non-native to North America, it is not listed on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national invasive species list. It is considered naturalized in the Eastern United States, meaning it has integrated into the ecosystem without causing widespread severe disruption.
European hornets are primarily carnivorous, preying on a variety of large insects such as beetles, moths, dragonflies, mantises, flies, and yellowjackets. They also feed on fallen fruit and tree sap, sometimes girdling twigs to access these sugary resources. While they consume honey bees, they do not pose a significant threat to healthy honey bee colonies or decimate entire hives, unlike some other non-native hornet species. Their overall ecological impact is considered limited compared to more destructive invasive species.
Identifying European Hornets
European hornets have a distinctive appearance. Workers measure about 1 inch and queens up to 1.4 inches in length. Their wings are reddish-orange, and their bodies are reddish-brown with prominent yellow stripes. The head is reddish-brown, becoming yellowish near the face, and the abdomen’s yellow stripes feature “teardrop” or knobby dark markings. Their eyes are distinctly C-shaped.
European hornets build paper nests from chewed wood pulp, often in dark, sheltered locations such as hollow trees, attics, wall voids, barns, or sheds. These nests are tan or brown, distinguishing them from the gray nests of some other social wasps. Unlike most other stinging insects, European hornets are active at night and are attracted to light sources.
European hornets are often confused with other insects. Yellowjackets, for instance, are smaller (3/8 to 5/8 inch) and display a stark black and bright yellow pattern with a more defined waist, unlike the European hornet’s reddish-brown and yellow coloration. The Asian giant hornet (Northern Giant Hornet) is considerably larger (up to 2.25 inches), with an almost entirely yellow or orange head, a black thorax, and distinct orange and black abdominal bands, lacking the teardrop markings seen on European hornets. The Asian giant hornet is not established in Eastern North America, with its presence primarily limited to the Pacific Northwest and declared eradicated from the United States as of 2024.