page_title: European hornet
section_title: Taxonomy
hierarchical_section_title: European hornet / Taxonomy
caption_attribution_description: English: Vespa crabro vexator (British subspecies of the European hornet), on ivy, Rushall Canal, Walsall, UK (SP037980)
context_page_description: The European hornet is the largest eusocial wasp native to Europe. It is also the only true hornet found in North America, having been introduced by European settlers in the 1800s. V. crabro is usually regarded as a pest by those humans who come into contact with it. Vespines, like V. crabro, are known for making intricate paper-like nests out of surrounding plant materials and other fibers. Unlike most other vespines, reproductive suppression involves worker policing instead of queen pheromone control, as was previously thought.
  This species stings in response to being stepped on or grabbed, but generally avoids conflict. It is also defensive of its nest and can be aggressive around food sources. Care should be taken when they are found in these circumstances, as they may sting without warning. European hornets are largely carnivorous and hunt large insects such as beetles, wasps, large moths, dragonflies, and mantises. They also feed on fallen fruit and other sources of sugary food. Mutual predation between medium-sized hornets and robberflies is often reported.
context_section_description: The European hornet is a true hornet (genus Vespa), a group characterized by eusocial species. The genus is in the subfamily Vespinae, members of which are known for chewing up their food to feed it to their young, as well as chewing up paper-like materials to make their nests. According to a recent phylogenetic study, its closest relative is Vespa dybowskii.
  The former subspecies of V. crabro (e.g.) are now considered to be geographic color forms; while there is a history of recognizing subspecies within many of the Vespa hornets, the most recent taxonomic revision of the genus treats all subspecific names in the genus Vespa as synonyms, effectively relegating them to no more than informal names for regional color forms.
caption: Vespa crabro form "vexator" – British form with an almost yellow head
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