What is Hornet?
{{Taxobox | name = Hornet | image = Vespa crabro 80708.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = [[European hornet]], ''[[Vespa crabro]]'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropoda]] | classis = [[Insecta]] | ordo = [[Hymenoptera]] | subordo = [[Apocrita]] | familia = [[Vespidae]] | subfamilia = [[Vespinae]] | genus = '''''Vespa''''' | genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758 }} '''Hornets''' are the largest of the [[eusociality|social]] [[wasp]]s. They can reach up to 55mm (5.5&nbsp;cm, 2.2in) in length. The ''true hornets'' make up the genus '''Vespa'''. True hornets can be distinguished from other vespines by the form of their head. Hornets live in [[Europe]], [[Asia]], [[Africa]], and the [[Americas]]. They live in warm and wet [[forest]]s, and in [[desert]] climates. They do not occur in climates where it is cold all year round. ==Life-cycle== First a queen starts to build a nest. This depends on the weather. In North America this happens in spring. As the hornet that starts to build the nest, she is the [[architect]] of the nest's design. In the built space she will lay eggs. These hatch, and become [[larva]]e. The queen will feed the first larvae, until they make a [[cocoon]]. After transforming, they will become the first ''workers''. These will do most of the work. The workers will build a hierarchy amongst themselves.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/140103296|title=Hornets : incredible insect architects|last=Markle, Sandra.|date=2008|publisher=Lerner Publications Company|isbn=9780822572978|location=Minneapolis, MN|oclc=140103296}}</ref> If the space where the nest is built becomes too small, the colony will move to another spot. In autumn young queens will hatch. Young males will hatch from unfertilized eggs. These males are called drones. The young queens will build a cocoon to spend the winter, once they have been fertilized. All the other animals will die with the first [[frost]]. ==Prey== Hornets and [[yellowjacket]]s are good for gardens. This is because t