Extremely large Hornet

[Razor61]

Just had a rather unpleasant experience inside my living room...
I've seen plenty of Hornets before, some yellow and black, some a dull orangy and black colour but i have never experienced such a large Hornet as just now.
I had a bit of 4x2in baton and managed to get it onto it from my light.
It was longer than the 2in side of the baton and just over half the width of the 4in side, infact i expect probably 2.5 inches long or so. Its head was nearly as wide as my little finger and its body was as wide as my index finger.
Yellow and Black in colour with thick legs and a very 'Low' but loud drone from its wings, unless the smaller wasps or hornets with a higher pitched wing drone.

I would have took a picture of it if i had killed it but i didn't want to do that and because it was erratic in its nature i didn't want to stand taking a photo.

As i got it on the baton it started walking towards my hand but by then it was out the bleading window as fast as i could get it.

I know European Hornets are much larger than some other continents but i'm wondering if anyone has experienced such a large hornet in the UK, between 2.5in to 3in long, wide and very menacing looking. Could this have been a queen?

[Dogghound]

Yes most likely a queen.

[Beekeeper]

Hornets are quite menacing looking but are generally quite docile, it is not a good idea to try to swat them as you would a fly being that they take offence are are likely to react rather rapidly.
If you find a hornet in your house at night, its best to turn off all lights and if you have outside lights turn them on and leave a door open, the hornet will generally leave and head for the light although they can see quite well in the dark.

Hornets are a protected species, their main food is insects, they especially like bees---my bees but unless there is a lot of them i dont bother to do anything about it, only once when there was a large nest near to some of my hives did i stop their destruction of my bees, had i not done so they would no doubt have destroyed the colonies.

I placed a chair near to the hives and as they pounced on tired bees retuning from foraging i shot them with my air rifle, after i reduced their numbers by nearly 100 in three days i left the rest alone as i didnt want to destroy all the workers and leave their young to starve.

They generally do more good than harm so do have a valuable place in the insect world, beautiful creatures with a fascinating lifestyle.

BK

[Jason Green]

You can shoot a Hornet... with a rifle?

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

You can shoot a Hornet... with a rifle?

Not sure about these days, eyesight is not as good as it was, might have to use telescopic sights.

BK

[Jason Green]

Right. I kind of meant why would you need to shoot as opposed to using a spray - wouldn't the latter be easier?

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Right. I kind of meant why would you need to shoot as opposed to using a spray - wouldn't the latter be easier?

Not a good idea near to my bee hives as it would also kill the bees apart from the fact they would not like me standing in their flight path, they can get quite grumpy if they have to fly around me to get home which can be a bit painful.

BK

[WhiskyBottle]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

You can shoot a Hornet... with a rifle?

That cracked me up too

[eucera]

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

....
Hornets are a protected species, their main food is insects, they especially like bees...
BK

Hornets are not a protected species - in fact no bee or wasp species is protected by law in this country.

The species is quite plentiful within its range (see BWARS Home Page for a map), but secretive. They are generally docile. The insects they prey on are for feeding the developing brood. The adults are nectar/sap feeders

[Jim Ford]

I was stung on the hand by a hornet about 3 years ago when I got too near its nest. It didn't hurt much and didn't last more than a few minutes before it just felt warm.

Jim