hornet: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	Vespa

Photos and Videos

European hornet (Vespa crabro) with yellow and brown body standing on a green leaf against a black background.

Northern giant hornet

European hornet

See a colony of hornets battle with a stag beetle for access to tree sap

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

northern giant hornet What’s the difference between hornets and wasps?Vespinae social insect termite yellow jacket

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz

The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024

Animal Factoids