The Asian Giant Hornet is the world’s largest hornet, native to parts of Asia. It often nests underground and hunts insects, including honey bees, to feed its larvae. In the United States, it is also called the northern giant hornet.
Appearance
Appearance
Adults are usually about 1.5–2 in (4–5 cm) long, with queens larger than workers. They have a large orange-yellow head and a dark abdomen with orange-yellow stripes.
In the western U.S., this large wasp has a reddish middle body and a smaller head relative to its body. The giant hornet has a dark middle body and a broad orange head.
Why they get mixed up · Both can grow close to 2 in (5 cm) long.
In the eastern U.S., this hornet is usually shorter, with dark teardrop marks on a mostly yellow abdomen. The giant hornet has a broad orange head and more even dark-and-yellow bands.
Why they get mixed up · Both are large, striped true hornets.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
forests
woodland edges
rural countryside
Range
Native to parts of East, South, and Southeast Asia. It was detected in northwestern Washington in 2019–2021; U.S. agencies declared it in 2024.
Preferred conditions
It often nests underground in Asia. All four nests found in Washington were inside alder tree cavities.
Behavior
Diet
It hunts insects to feed its larvae and can attack honey bee colonies.
Activity
Queens start colonies in spring, and colonies grow through summer and fall.
Overwintering
Only newly mated queens survive the winter; each one starts a new colony on her own the next spring.
Life cycle
Larva
Larvae grow in paper cells inside the nest and are fed chewed-up insect prey brought in by workers.
Cautions
Cautions
Stings can be very painful, and an attack by many hornets can be life-threatening. Keep away from nests and do not handle the hornets.
Connected species
Ties with other wildlife
In Japan, Japanese honey bees can surround an intruding hornet in a tight group and heat it. Western honey bee colonies are vulnerable to attacks.