Hornets..........a study of insect behaviour

Up close and personal with an Asian Hornet.........not recommended!

Every year, hundreds of people are hospitalised by hornet stings and in 2018, 3 residents here in France, died after being stung by a hornet!

Having experienced the sting from one of these insects, I can confirm the intensity of the pain and length of discomfort, from a negative encounter with one of natures most brutal hunters.

It’s no secret that hornets are pretty scary, especially because of their sting which carries five times more poison than that of an ordinary wasp. 

However, hornets do not only attack humans and last summer, I not only witnessed, but also photographed an attack by a european hornet on a fly. The following images, although gruesome, show an interesting study of a rarely witnessed event in nature.

The start of the attack and the hoverfly cannot compete with its larger adversary

Hornets, their huge size and predatory nature are not a coincidence. These insects are nature’s pest control officers and they regularly prey on other insects.

Already, the flies compound eyes and antenna have been discarded (towards bottom left of picture). 

It might come as a surprise that hornets are a nightmare for bees and flies, especially when we know that bees are very intelligent and just as dangerous. However, bees are only a danger to humans and other animals when they attack, but not so, to hornets. 

Using its large cutting jaws, it works its way around the base of the head.

Hornets are five times larger than an average European honey bee, and are so powerful that bees and flies don’t stand a chance. 

It is only when I viewed this image, that I noticed the second body on the ground. This hornet clearly used this area, as its own killing field.

The reasons why bees and flies are a favorite for hornets is that they are the perfect source of protein and are basically easy targets.

Having decapitated its prey, the hornet takes off with its prize.

The reason that the head is removed, is simply that the size and weight of the complete fly, makes it too difficult for the hornet to take off and fly back to its nest.

Sadly, nature is not all about cuddly, fluffy creatures and whilst this blog is not as 'easy' a read, as my usual blogs, it is important that I occasionaly offer a 'balanced' view of our Natural World.

As you can see from the images above, I was at times very close to these hornets (just a couple of centimeters) and I would not recommend anyone else to get this close, until they have studied them and fully understand their behaviour.

If you are stung and begin to suffer a reaction including swelling of the tongue, throat, lips or eyes and vomiting, shivering or fever, then you should call (here in France) 18 for the pompiers or 15 for the ambulance service without delay.

If you enjoy reading my photoblogs, please 'subscribe' or 'share', utilising 

the links at the top of the page.

To read my previous blogs, please click on the 'Previous Blogs' link 

at the top left of this page.