If you were to see a yellow and black striped insect hovering around your picnic on a summer's day, would you know if it was a wasp or a hornet?
While often considered a nuisance (wasps are the second most disliked insect in the UK, after the spider, according to a 2021 YouGov poll), wasps and hornets are a vital part of our eco system, pollinating plants and helping keeping pests at bay.
So yes, they may be bothersome while you're trying to enjoy your pint in a sunny beer garden, but if you don't flap your arms at them they'll leave you alone!
Wasps and hornets look very alike and have similar behaviour/characteristics but there are some key differences...
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What are the differences between wasps and hornets?
Hornets are larger
Hornets are a larger relative of the common wasp. They can grow up to 3.5cm long, while wasps are around 2cm. Hornets are also a little rounder and fatter than the common wasp.
Different stripe colour
Wasps have black and yellow stripes on their body, whereas hornets' stripes are more brown and yellow.
Hornets aren't so fearsome
Hornets have a fearsome reputation but they're actually less aggressive than the common wasp and are unlikely to sting if they are left alone. However, the hornet's sting is more painful to humans than wasp stings because of the chemicals found in hornet venom.
Did you know?
An invasive species of Asian hornet, known as the yellow-legged hornet, was first spotted in the UK in 2016. They are similar in appearance to European hornets but their abdomen is almost entirely dark with fine yellow stripes. Any sightings should be reported as they pose a significant threat to bee colonies and other native pollinators.
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Top image credit: Getty