European Hornet
Very large, brown with yellow, active at night
Individual
Swarm
Nest / Hive
Wing / Body Pattern
What It Is
The European hornet (Vespa crabro) is the only true hornet established in North America, introduced from Europe. It is primarily a species of the eastern and southeastern United States, and it is established in Middle Tennessee, including the Nashville area. It is the largest stinging insect most homeowners here will encounter. Size: 1 to 1.4 inches.
How to Identify
Color: brown with yellow banding and some reddish-orange, especially on the head and thorax. Distinctly larger than a yellowjacket, with a smooth wasp body. Nighttime activity is a behavioral tell: European hornets fly after dark and are drawn to outdoor lights. A large wasp-like insect bumping your porch light after dark in the Nashville area is very possibly a European hornet. Nest: enclosed paper nests in hollow trees, wall voids, attics, and other cavities.
Behavior and Risk
European hornets defend their nests and can sting more than once. Venom causes pain and swelling, and allergic reactions are possible. Their nighttime foraging is usually low risk, because the workers are hunting moths and other insects near lights and are not targeting people.
How to Handle
If you find a nest in a wall void, attic, or tree cavity, do not disturb it and call us. Reducing outdoor lighting during the warm months can cut down on nighttime forager activity around the home.
European hornets are much larger than yellowjackets and are brown and yellow rather than the stark yellow-black of a yellowjacket. They are also active at night, which yellowjackets are not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are European hornets common in Middle Tennessee?
Yes. European hornets are established across the eastern and southeastern United States, including the Nashville area. If you see a very large hornet at your porch light after dark, a European hornet is a real possibility here.
Why are European hornets active at night?
European hornets are unusual among stinging wasps in that they forage after dark, drawn to light sources where they hunt moths and other insects. This nighttime behavior is not aggression toward people.
Are European hornets the same as murder hornets?
No. Murder hornet refers to the Asian giant hornet, a different and much larger species that was found in the Pacific Northwest a few years ago and has not become established anywhere in the eastern United States. European hornets are smaller and are a long-established part of eastern North American ecosystems, including Tennessee.
Does Beecasso remove European hornets?
Yes. Beecasso handles hornet and wasp nests in addition to bees. Send us a photo or call for a free assessment.
Is a European hornet the same as a yellowjacket?
No. European hornets are much larger, 1 to 1.4 inches versus about 1/2 inch for a yellowjacket, and they are brown and yellow rather than stark yellow-black. They are also active at night, which yellowjackets are not.