Subject: European Hornet, Vespa crabro

Location: Upshur County, West Virginia

Stock Number: 05-32034

Comment: This hornet was feeding on the sweet secretions of the tulip tree scale insect. From time to time it also attacked (for food) other large insects that were feeding at the scale.

As the common name says, this large wasp originated in Europe, but it has been resident in the United State for about a century and a half.

While it is very aggressive with other insects, upon which it feeds, the European Hornet typically does not attack humans except in defense of its nest.