Hornet nests are intricate structures serving as home for a hornet colony. Understanding their appearance is important for identification and safety. Hornets are social insects that build these nests to house their growing colonies throughout warmer months.
Visual Hallmarks of a Hornet Nest
Hornet nests are large, enclosed structures with a distinctive papery texture. Their shape is often spherical, oval, or teardrop-shaped, resembling a football hanging from a branch. These nests are constructed from chewed wood fibers mixed with hornet saliva, creating a durable, paper-like material. Colors range from grayish-brown to tan, often with visible stripes or shading variations from different wood sources.
The nest’s outer layer, called the envelope, consists of multiple layers of this material, providing insulation and protection. Hornets typically include a single entrance hole, usually near the bottom. Mature nests vary significantly in size, some growing as large as a basketball or up to two feet in length and diameter.
Where Hornets Build Their Nests
Hornets select diverse, sheltered locations for their nests, prioritizing protection from elements. Many species, like bald-faced hornets, construct large, visible nests in open spaces such as tree branches, dense shrubs, or under building overhangs and eaves. These aerial nests are typically suspended several feet above ground.
Other hornet species, such as the European hornet, prefer concealed or enclosed spaces. They commonly build nests within hollow trees, attics, sheds, or inside building wall voids. Less commonly, some species may nest close to or within the ground, often utilizing abandoned rodent burrows or other subterranean cavities. The chosen location influences nest visibility and can alter its external shape to fit the available space.
Telling Hornet Nests Apart from Others
Distinguishing hornet nests from those built by other stinging insects requires attention to specific visual cues. Hornet nests are large, fully enclosed, with a smooth, papery outer shell and a single entrance hole. This contrasts with paper wasp nests, which are smaller, resemble an open umbrella, and feature exposed hexagonal cells. Paper wasp nests are made from paper material but lack the enclosed structure of hornet nests.
Yellowjacket nests, also made of chewed wood pulp, are often found in underground burrows or hidden cavities, making their papery structure less visible. Unlike hornets, yellowjackets are often observed entering and exiting small ground holes or crevices. While some yellowjacket species, such such as bald-faced hornets, build aerial nests resembling hornet nests, their smaller size and distinct black and white markings help differentiate them. Bee nests, particularly honey bees, are typically found within enclosed cavities and consist of wax combs, differing significantly from hornet nests’ papery construction.
How Nests Change Over Time
A hornet nest undergoes significant visual changes throughout its life cycle, typically spanning a single season. In early spring, a solitary queen begins constructing a small, initial nest, often no larger than a golf ball. This starter nest consists of a few hexagonal cells surrounded by a rudimentary paper envelope.
As the first generation of worker hornets emerges, they take over construction, foraging, and colony care, allowing the queen to focus on egg-laying. The nest then expands rapidly, with workers continuously adding layers of material, causing it to grow substantially in size and complexity. This growth can lead to the nest doubling in size every few weeks during peak building season, eventually reaching its mature form by late summer. The nest’s color might also vary as different wood sources are incorporated, creating distinct bands or patches.