What is European hornet?
{{Speciesbox | name = European hornet | image = VespaCrabroCollezione.jpg | image_caption = Queen (top), worker (middle) and male (bottom) of the ''germana'' subspecies | taxon = Vespa crabro | authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]] }} The '''European hornet''' (''Vespa crabro'') is a large [[eusociality|eusocial]] wasp in [[Europe]]. It is the only true [[hornet]] in [[North America]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hornets: Gentle Giants|publisher=Dieter Kosmeier|url=http://www.vespa-crabro.com/hornets.htm|access-date=February 17, 2017|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000434/http://www.vespa-crabro.com/hornets.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> European hornets are usually known as pests by humans who come in contact with them.<ref>{{cite journal|title=A Hornet Steals Prey from a Spider|publisher=Bio One|doi=10.1656/058.010.0119 |s2cid=86068392 |url=http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1656/058.010.0119|access-date=February 17, 2017}}</ref> They are known for making nests out of [[plant]] material and other fibers to create paper nests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Determination of Some Structural Features of the Nest Paper|publisher=doiSerbia|url=http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/Article.aspx?ID=0354-46641102449B|access-date=February 17, 2017}}</ref> This species stings in response to being stepped on or grabbed. However, they usually avoid conflict. They are also defensive of their hive. They are sometimes aggressive around food sources. European hornets eat large insects, mostly [[wasp]]s and large [[bee]]s. Care should be taken, because the hornets may sting without warning. The pain from the sting may persist for a few days with swelling. ==References== <references/> [[Category:Wasps]]