Asian Hornet Identification

Learn to identify Vespa velutina and distinguish it from native species

Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina) identification showing three different angles

Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina) - Key identification features from multiple angles

Key Identification Features

What does it look like?

  • • Slim wasp shape
  • • Smaller than European hornet
  • - Queen ca. 3cm
  • - Worker ca. 2.5cm
  • • Dark brown/black thorax with no stripes
  • • Lower legs yellow
  • • Single yellow stripe on abdomen (4th segment)
  • • Orange-yellow face

Size & Build

  • • Workers: 17-26mm in length
  • • Queens: Up to 30mm in length
  • • Robust build with distinctive narrow waist
  • • Strong, powerful flight capability

Coloration

  • • Predominantly dark brown to black body
  • • Yellow/orange legs with dark tips
  • • Yellow band on 4th abdominal segment
  • • Dark thorax with fine yellow markings
  • • Orange face with black markings

Head Features

  • • Orange face from front view
  • • Dark vertex (top of head)
  • • Large, prominent compound eyes
  • • Strong mandibles for hunting

Behavior & Habitat

Typical Behavior

  • • Active predators of honeybees and other insects
  • • Often seen hovering outside beehives
  • • Aggressive when defending nests
  • • Most active during warm, sunny days

Preferred Habitats

  • • Tree canopies (often 10+ meters high)
  • • Building eaves and sheltered locations
  • • Areas near water sources
  • • Gardens with flowering plants

Comparison with Native Species

Feature Asian Hornet Giant Woodwasp Common Wasp
Size 17-30mm 25-40mm 11-18mm
Thorax Dark brown/black Black with yellow markings Black with yellow stripes
Abdomen Dark with yellow band Black with yellow bands Bright yellow with black bands
Legs Yellow with dark tips Yellow/orange Yellow
Body Type Robust wasp shape Elongated, cylindrical Typical wasp waist
Most Commonly Confused Native Species - Giant Woodwasp and Common Wasp identification

Quick Action

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Distribution

Origin: Southeast Asia, China
First EU Detection: France, 2004
Current Range: France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy

Seasonal Activity

Spring (Mar-May) Queens emerge
Summer (Jun-Aug) Colony growth
Autumn (Sep-Nov) Peak activity
Winter (Dec-Feb) Dormancy