Subject: flying insect
Location: New Jersey, interior
April 19, 2013 9:24 am
Hi there! This one was on an upstairs window screen this morning, and its size is what struck me: it’s close to 2 inches in length.
I’d like to remove the screen to free it to the outside but need to know if it stings (I’m allergic and must be careful of such things…).
Thanks for your help!
Signature: Mila
Dear Mila,
This is a European Hornet, Vespa crabro, a species introduced to North America in the 1800s. We suspect this is a queen that recently emerged from hibernation and that she will look for a suitable place to begin building a new nest to start a new colony. See BugGuide for additional information.
Evil creatures in France. HUGE! Then the Asian hornet made it to France and they were even bigger and more ornery.
Yes they sting. I am allergic too. Best to let someone not allergic remove it.
I am allergic too Mila – let someone else remove it that is not allergic.
I was photographing bees yesterday when I came across these. I believe them to be European hornets, Are they dangerous to the British Bees?
Hornets will feed insects like caterpillars to their larvae, but we don’t believe they will prey upon Bees.
Thank you for replying.I am relieved to hear that there is not a threat to our indigenous bee population. If you need a photograph I tood a few so you are most welcome.
Thanks again
Ann-Marie
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