Insect
Asian Giant Hornet
Vespa mandariniaAlso known as Northern Giant Hornet
The Asian Giant Hornet is an exceptionally large wasp with a broad orange head, dark thorax, and bold orange-and-black abdomen. Workers hunt large insects to provision larvae and defend underground or tree-cavity nests with repeated venomous stings.
giant hornetsocial waspinsect predator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyHoney bees, mantises, other wasps
Predators
- honey buzzards
- bee-eaters
- humans
ThreatsHabitat loss, pesticide use, nest destruction, climate shifts, and deliberate persecution
HabitatsTemperate and subtropical forest, woodland edge, farms, low mountains, and underground or hollow-tree nests
Life spanColonies last one season; overwintered queens establish new colonies the following year
Classification
- FamilyVespidae
- SpeciesVespa mandarinia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Venomous stings can cause anaphylaxis or systemic toxicity; keep well away from hornets and their nests.
- Why it is dangerous
- Venomous stings cause severe pain and can trigger life-threatening allergy or systemic toxicity after multiple stings.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- An exceptionally large hornet with a broad orange head and boldly banded orange-black abdomen.
- What to do
- Never approach a nest or swat at hornets; retreat calmly and seek emergency care for severe reactions.
Responsible observation
- Distance: Move away calmly from any large hornet or suspected nest entrance.
- Behavior: Never swat at foragers or block their flight path.
- Emergency: Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, widespread swelling, or multiple stings.
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