Many people are interested in how hornets hibernate - these large wasp-like insects that bite so painfully. For most people, hornets cause panic, and sometimes even horror. More from school curriculum we learn that the hornet venom that gets into human body, causes a severe allergic reaction, and its a large number of can lead to anaphylactic shock.

It is fear fatal outcome makes people kill insects. In this publication we will talk about the way of life of hornets.

Let's get to know each other better

The classification of insects states that there is a separate genus of hornets, which belongs to the family of true wasps. Wasps that are familiar to us belong to the same family. They are called paper wasps. Thus, hornets are their close relatives. Therefore, they are very similar to them in appearance, as well as in their method of nutrition, reproduction and general lifestyle.

However, hornets have their own characteristics, both biological and behavioral. We will focus on them in our article.

Hornets are social insects that live large families, which are also called colonies. By the beginning of September, their numbers can range from 400 to 800 individuals.

The family consists of one queen, several females, males and workers. Only the queen of the colony lays eggs. Therefore, to prevent mating and laying eggs by other females of the family, the queen emits a special odor. As a result, females lay unfertilized eggs, from which only drones are born.

Hornets are larger than wasps. The size of the uterus can reach 25-35 millimeters, and males and workers 22-30 millimeters. The front half of the chest and the head of the hornet are yellow. There are rings on the body - the first two are dark brown with yellow stripes, and the rest are yellow color with the presence of brown spots. The body of the insect is covered with villi.

On the top of the head are three large compound eyes of a reddish-orange color. The oral apparatus of hornets has the shape of a gnawing type, but is only equipped with very strong mandibles. Females and workers have a sting, which is a modified ovipositor.

What are the different types of insects?

There are 23 species of hornets in the world, which in turn are divided into subspecies.

The most common types include:

1. European, which is distinguished by red pigmentation on the head and large body. Found throughout the territory Russian Federation, including Siberia. Very common in the Primorsky Territory. Also, often found in the Moscow region.
2. Eastern - the body is brown in color. They live in Asia, Africa, Europe (including the vast expanses of Russia).
3. Filipino - a bite leads to the death of a person. Insects are common in the Philippines.

You should know that in some countries hornets are protected by the state. For example, in Germany, a fine of 50 thousand euros will be imposed for destroying a hornet nest.

What do they eat?

Nature created hornets as predators. Therefore, they mainly feed on other insects. They not only eat live insects, but can also feast on the carcass of a recently deceased animal. Hornets eat only those bodies in which the process of putrefaction has not yet begun. The diet of striped insects is supplemented by sweet fruits and berries, which are already beginning to decompose.

They love overripe fruits: plums, apricots, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and grapes. With pleasure they feast on all beekeeping products. A squad of several hornets is capable of destroying an entire swarm of bees. They eat and take back to their nest everything they find in an empty hive. Thus, they can be safely classified as omnivores.

Where do the winged "pirates" live?

Hornets are called “pirates” because of their habits. They very brazenly commit robberies and thefts from other insects, in particular bees. At the same time, they act bravely and wisely. When getting their food, they use only their powerful jaws. The sting with poison is used only for self-defense from large animals and people.

Where do hornets live? They choose a variety of biotopes to live in, which are not necessarily associated with human habitation and agricultural land. Striped insects settle close to people due to the abundance of food.

In particular:

1. There are always many insects living around a person’s home.
2. Human food supplies serve as food for hornets.

A hornet can easily fly into the kitchen and profit from something. For example, to separate a small piece of meat from a piece from which the housewife plans to cook something. Berries and fruits grow in gardens and plots. Some people keep bees. In addition, it is convenient to build nests on human structures.

Lifestyle

The rules for the existence of hornets in nature are very similar to those of bees and ants. In order to survive during cold winter and every year to give birth to insects you have to sacrifice someone and something. They sacrifice males, who die soon after mating. This way resources are not wasted on already “useless” individuals.

After all, in the hornet family, the females are the main ones. Therefore, they must prepare well for hibernation, survive it, and in the spring become the founder of a new colony.The uterus needs a large amount of protein to produce eggs and develop ovaries. In order to successfully overwinter, it eats very richly and accumulates a fat body.

Mating Features

The greatest activity in the hornet family is observed at the end of the warm period of the year, namely the end of August and the beginning of September. By this period, individuals of both sexes become adults. They all leave their home, swarm and mate. Thus, mating occurs before the onset of cold weather. Female hornets spend the winter pregnant.

Males die soon after mating. Females lead a solitary lifestyle. They feed heavily, and between meals they fly around the nearby territory in search of a safe place for winter shelter. Overwintering of a pregnant female hornet, which falls into suspended animation, is possible only in a secluded place where enemies and cold winds will not find her.

Wintering conditions

Crevices in rocks, tree hollows, shelters under stones and fallen trunks, and small cavities on the outside of unheated buildings or houses are well suited for this. There is no need to be afraid that the female will hide inside a human house. There's a good reason for this. When cold weather sets in, when the air temperature drops below 0 0 C, all the water freezes.

But the water in the hornets does not freeze. This is due to the fact that in the body of insects, water is replaced by glycerol. It does not freeze, but it slows down all life processes. This way, the glycerin cannot turn into ice and rupture the insect cells. If the hornet warms up prematurely, it will die during the next cold snap.

When the female hides for the winter in a heated human house, then warm temperature air will contribute to its premature awakening and the natural need to build a nest. If she manages to hide in a house from human eyes, then it will be very difficult for her to look for material to build the honeycomb of her “house”.

When she manages to build a nest, she will not be able to find enough food in the house to feed her offspring. Thus, she will doom him to certain death. Therefore, female hornets do not choose heated human houses for wintering.

The main condition for successful wintering is constant air temperature without sharp fluctuations.

A lot of female hornets die during harsh winters with little snow, as well as in the presence of winter thaws. If the female does not manage to hide well, she will become prey to various birds or small predators. Therefore, a significant number of hornets do not survive until spring.

Spring chores

The female hornet wakes up when the air temperature warms up to +15 0 C. Young pregnant insects that wake up begin to actively hunt so that the embryos can develop into full-fledged eggs. In addition, the young female is looking for a suitable place to build her nest.

Help with a bite.

Old females also wake up, but they do not look for a place to build a nest. They scatter around the surrounding area. When the first cold days arrive, they stop their activity and freeze. As a rule, they die before they reach their second wintering. After a nest site has been found, the young female builds the first comb and lays her eggs there.

Only worker hornets emerge from the first eggs. The female must raise them. Then they take the baton into their own hands. Working individuals independently complete the nest and feed the larvae from later eggs. Already from these larvae males and females will grow. They will begin a new cycle in August. The lifespan of worker insects is only three to four weeks.

If you meet a hornet in early spring, it is most likely a pregnant female busy with procreation. She doesn't specifically touch people, but she's not afraid of them either. The female is not dangerous to you. She has no time to threaten anyone, because she has many more important things to do. Don't touch her. Let her reproduce her offspring.

Bottom line

To summarize, I would like to highlight the main thing - the meaning of hornets for people is very contradictory. On the one hand, they help - they destroy insects: flies, mosquitoes, ants and numerous agricultural pests, and also clean the gardens of overripe fruits.

But on the other hand, they destroy bees and can bite humans. If you are bitten by an insect, you should immediately take an antiallergic drug, and if you have multiple bites, immediately seek medical help. Thus, if you are not a beekeeper, then these large striped insects are more likely your friends than enemies.

Hornets are representatives of the so-called social or paper wasps, since they prefer to live in colonies, and to build nests they use homemade paper, which they obtain by chewing wood fibers.

The Vespin subfamily (which also includes hornets, based on recent research by scientists) is considered the most highly developed. The name “hornet” itself goes back to Sanskrit, and based on the famous Vasmer dictionary, it also has Slavic roots. Hornet in the photo looks huge and scary, but in life they are about two or three times more wasp.

Huge hornets that live in the mountainous regions of Japan claim the lives of several dozen people every year (for example, from encounters with dangerous snakes In the land of the rising sun, only a few people die during the same period). Should you be afraid? hornet sting and is this insect so dangerous? You will learn about this by reading this article to the end.

Features and habitat

Insect hornet, being a representative of the wasp family, also belongs to the hymenoptera insects, and today there are more than twenty species of them. Their body length can reach 3.9 cm, and their weight can reach 200 mg. Females are usually about twice as large as males. Unlike wasps, whose color consists of black and yellow shades, hornets can be brown, black or orange flowers.

Asian hornet is the largest representative of the family, and its body length can reach five centimeters and its wingspan can reach seven centimeters. This species lives mainly in India, China, Korea and Japan, as well as in the Primorsky Territory of Russia. It is considered the most dangerous, and its poison can be mortal danger for a person.

Pictured is an Asian hornet

The difference between male and female hornets is the absence of a stinger, but it is not so easy to detect the gender of an insect with the naked eye, so it is best to exercise a certain degree of caution when meeting this representative of the wasp family. The flagellum of the antennae in males is pointed and has 12 segments (the flagellum of females, in turn, is formed by 11 segments).

Front view of a hornet

Otherwise hornet and wasp have a number of similar characteristics related directly to the structure of the body: thin waist, striped belly, transparent thin wings, powerful jaws and large expressive eyes. The distribution area of ​​hornets is predominantly the Northern Hemisphere.

Vespa Crabro (or the common hornet) is distributed throughout Europe, North America, Ukraine and Russia (more precisely, in its European part). Also found in Western Siberia and the Urals. What does a hornet look like? living in Asia?

It is worth noting that these representatives of the wasp family, inhabiting Nepal, India, Indochina, Taiwan, Korea, Israel, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Japan, where they are known as “sparrow bees” for their impressive size, differ from those known to our compatriots. It is not difficult to meet this insect also in Turkey, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Southern Europe, Somalia, Sudan and a number of other countries.

Hornet eats fruit

Character and lifestyle

One of the main differences between hornets and wasps is the fact that these insects will not climb into a jar of honey or jam and will not intrusively hang around a feast with aromatic pies, fruits or other food. What do hornets do? As mentioned above, these insects prefer to lead a social lifestyle, flocking in flocks, the number of which reaches several hundred individuals.

The founder of the nest is a female who has survived the winter and, with the onset of warm weather, finds appropriate place like a crevice in a rock, a hollow in a tree, in the attics of residential buildings and even in transformer boxes. Humming loudly, they fly among the trees, gnawing off rotting wood, stumps or old bark. Hornets build nests of several tiers from wood, processing it into paper.

IN hornets nest only one female is fertile, the rest perform the function of servants, engaged in guarding, construction, cleaning and foraging. Interesting fact, confirming the high level of development of paper wasps: all representatives of this community are able to distinguish each other and the status of individuals by smell or other characteristics.

Hornet attacks on people really do happen. And there are significantly more such attacks from these insects than from or. Hornet venom contains a fair amount of histamine, which can cause severe allergic reactions in humans, so in case of hypersensitivity to this component, the reaction can be very unpredictable.

And if one person bitten experiences only slight swelling with increased heart rate and elevated temperature, then another person may experience anaphylactic shock with subsequent death.

Hornets sharpen wood

How to get rid of hornets? If the insect flew into your house, so to speak, in a single copy, then you should not try to kill it with a rolled-up newspaper or a fly swatter. An angry hornet can strike back, which is fraught with very unpleasant consequences. It is best to cover it with a can or matchbox and throw it out the window.

If you got wound up hornets under the roof or on a personal plot, you can cover the nest with a plastic bag, after spraying dichlorvos or another insecticide into it, or take three-quarters of a bucket of water and lower the nest into it. There is the most cruel way to destroy hornets. To do this, kerosene or gasoline is filled into a spray bottle, then the nest is sprayed and set on fire.

Hornets nest

Nutrition

Hornets feed mainly on rotting fruits, nectar, and in general any products that contain a sufficient amount of sugar or fructose. Hornets also like to include in their diet the sap of certain trees and various insects, such as wasps, bees, grasshoppers and the like. Having killed the victim with the help of their poison and processed it with powerful jaws, the hornets secrete a special suspension, which is used to feed the larvae.

Hornet collects nectar from a flower

Reproduction and lifespan

The young queen, who spent the winter in hibernation, finds the most suitable place for a nest with the onset of spring, and, having built several hundred, lays eggs in them. After that, she personally takes care of them and searches for food. New members of the community take care of the further construction of the nest and feeding the queen and larvae.

This scheme leads to phenomenally rapid growth of the family. After about four weeks, new hornets emerge from the larvae, and the queen may be kicked out of the nest or even killed because she is no longer able to lay eggs.

Life expectancy as big hornets, and working individuals that are found directly in the European part - only a few months; the queen lives somewhat longer due to the ability to spend the winter hibernating.

Hornet- This is a hymenoptera “predator”, a descendant of the genus of true wasps, which is why the hornet is like two peas in a pod. But the wasp is a more harmless creature compared to the 55-mm giant hornet.

Hornets are building insects that work day and night, building unique nest houses consisting of chewed wood and glue in the form of their own saliva. Just look at this spectacle, and you will not have an ounce of doubt that hornets are magnificent hard workers!

Most often, hornets seek refuge in hollow trees, on the roofs of buildings and even in mailboxes, placing homemade cute nest houses there, causing admiration and surprise of people.

But let’s not praise hornets so much, because they cause bewilderment with their actions: they destroy bees and wasps, and brazenly eat the harvest. They especially love to eat fresh fruits and berries, so experts advise visiting places less often where the concentration of sugar in the air is higher than any norm.

During the hot summer season, adults feed on natural sweetness in the form of fragrant flower nectar, honeydew, and ripe fruits dripping with juice. Very often the insect settles inside the fruit. And if a person wants to taste the find, then the risk of being stung increases significantly.

An unexpected encounter with a hornet can happen anywhere. Meeting these insects is no joke, and therefore it’s not worth chasing them away or disturbing their nests for fun. Otherwise, such unintelligible behavior will certainly result in disaster for you.

Why is a hornet sting dangerous?

Hornets will never take the initiative first and start attacking a person out of the blue. But the unexpected arrival of a person is evidence of aggressive behavior for the hornet.

A hornet sting causes acute pain in humans, which can provoke allergic reactions on the body. If the hornet bites are repeatedly inflicted, then death is possible in the absence of urgent help.

Hornet venom and its effect on the body

Unlike bumblebees and horseflies, a hornet’s bite is more painful, and its symptoms are not felt immediately, but after a certain period of time.

This is the very moment of the attack, a hornet bites you... and the first thing a person feels is a sharp piercing pain, similar to a puncture by a hot nail. After a severe bite, the inflammatory process rapidly spreads throughout the body.

At the moment of the bite, the hornet plunges its sting into a person, but the insect consumes only part of its poison reserves. The Hornet is very careful in this regard, because he knows that the poison can be useful to him for subsequent attacks.

The hornet's poisonous substance consists of the following components:

1. Acetylcholine- a special stimulant substance nerve cells and causing an increase in nervous activity. That is why at the moment of a bite a person feels a sharp pain.
2. Protein substances – mastoparan and crabroline. They have a lethal effect on mast cells of tissues, as a result of which histamine is released at a more intense pace.
3. Histamine- triggers the processes of an allergic reaction, the presence of which is determined on an individual basis.
4. Amines- stimulate an increase in heart rate.
5. Phospholipase and orientotoxins- substances aimed at destroying cell walls with increased release of breakdown products into the intercellular space. Phospholipase is a unique substance, because it predominates in snake venom.

What happens if a hornet bites you?

Having stung a person, the hornet introduces a dangerous poison into his body. If the poison accidentally gets into a person’s eyes, it can lead to severe burns to the retina. As a result of a hornet sting, swelling occurs, which over time turns into continuous edema.

Important information! The body of children under 15 years of age actively reacts to the introduction of poison, which causes increased intoxication. All processes proceed much faster. Therefore, you should not hesitate to contact a doctor, who will sort everything out for you and provide the necessary medical care.

Poison damage is characterized by the appearance of local and common features.

The following are typical for local manifestations: hornet sting symptoms:

• slight redness of the skin;
• swelling of the skin;
• swelling;
• sharp and piercing pain.

Common signs include:

• severe sweating;
• cardiopalmus;
• lips and ears acquire a bluish tint.

A hornet bite to the head is especially dangerous in its manifestations.

Photo

Consequences of a hornet sting

“Can a hornet sting cause serious harm to human health?” - a question that interests not only the owners of hives and apiaries, but also ordinary people who are afraid to come face to face with this dangerous insect.

Compared to a wasp, a hornet’s sting is more painful, and the toxin that predominates in the “hornet venom” can cause severe intoxication, which in the future can develop into Quincke's edema. And angioedema, as is known, is a severe pathology characterized by swelling of the larynx and difficulty breathing.

Local complications may include hives, as a result of which the human body is completely covered with unattractive red spots.

Severe consequences of a hornet sting

How does a person feel after receiving a dose of poison from a hornet? The first reaction to a human hornet bite is characterized by redness of the skin and severe burns.

After two hours, a person in an unpleasant situation may experience nausea, vomiting, chills, dizziness, profuse sweating and increased body temperature. One can, without a doubt, express the idea that A hornet bite carries greater threats than a wasp sting, or, say, a bee sting.

Can a person die from a hornet bite and is a hornet bite dangerous at all? Theoretically, yes, but in practice, in most cases it does not lead to severe consequences, much less death. Healthy man risks going to the next world, having received about 20 full-fledged bites from this giant insect.

For those who suffer from an allergic reaction, one dangerous bite is enough to send them to the grave. A strong bite to the throat or tongue can also be deadly, since the swelling that appears as a result of the bite blocks the trachea and the person dies from asphyxia.

What to do if bitten by a hornet?

“What to do when a hornet bites a person?” - a question that is relevant today, because every year more and more people are attacked by a hornet.

So, the actions after a bite should be as follows:

• The first step is to carefully squeeze the poison out of the resulting wound. Don’t be surprised that particles of the insect’s sting will come out along with the poison if it breaks during the bite. After this, it is important to carry out measures aimed at disinfecting the wound and washing it with a solution of alcohol and potassium permanganate.
• The golden recipes of traditional medicine will also come to your aid. This is how wound treatment gives excellent results. lemon juice. Compresses made from onions, garlic, and tomatoes also cope with this task with a bang.
• Under no circumstances should a hornet bite be ignored. without paying enough attention to it. Treatment is different for each person, because the body’s reaction can be the most unpredictable.

First aid for a bite

As soon as a hornet bites you, take immediate action or ask a loved one to help you.

In addition, you should do the following:

• First of all, carefully examine the bite site, if sting particles predominate there, then remove them with tweezers. If you feel stuffy, a wave of heat washes over you, the first drops of sweat begin to appear on your body, free yourself from tight clothes and immediately remove the scarf, heavy jewelry from your neck, fingers, unbutton your shirt collar and loosen your belt.
• The affected area is washed with a soap solution, carry out disinfection with an alcohol solution. To prevent allergic shock, take an antihistamine.
• When a hornet stings, the victim's blood pressure may drop sharply, so it makes sense to take cordiamin.
• Provide the patient with the most comfortable conditions possible, cover him with a warm blanket, give him hot tea with sugar.
• If you are bitten by a hornet, you should not lean on alcoholic drinks , which increase swelling.
• If a person who has received a hornet bite experiences symptoms of anaphylactic shock: sudden paleness of the skin, cold sticky sweat, a sharp decline blood pressure, thready pulse - place the person on a flat, hard surface, provide him with access fresh air, watch his breathing to avoid tongue retraction, raise his legs higher and urgently call an ambulance.

Health care

If swelling is observed at the site of the bite, then in order to relieve irritation, you should lubricate the skin with a cream with hydrocortisone and lidocaine. Antihistamines like Suprastin and Tavegil will also serve you well.

How to avoid a hornet bite?

To prevent a hornet from biting you, you should adhere to the following rules:

• If you see a hornet nest within a radius of at least 5 meters from you, immediately move away from there.
• Don't play around in hopes of rocking the nest, otherwise the hornets will become aggressive towards you.
• If you want to enjoy fragrant garden fruits, make sure that insects have not settled in them.
• Perfume compositions can attract the attention of hornets and cause a violent reaction in them. Be careful, because hornets flock to the fruity and floral aromas of perfumes and cosmetics.

conclusions

In conclusion, we can safely say that beingware of encountering a hornet means not putting your life at risk! Be on the lookout!

Hornet is an insect that belongs to the class of wasps. Hornets live in colonies and build nests, for this they themselves make a material similar to paper by chewing wood fibers. IN modern world about 20 varieties of hornets. Females are much larger than males. Let's take a closer look at their lifestyle, habits, habitat and other features.

These representatives have different height parameters from 18 millimeters to 35. One of the largest is 55 millimeters in length. In their structure, one can note a large head and a prominent crown. The compound eyes are located at the back. The color of the head is presented in a wide color palette - from black to yellow. They are also characterized by a striped belly, thin wings, strong jaws and large eyes.

Why are hornets called that?

The roots of the word come from the Latin Vespa crabro (literally translated as “hornet wasp”). The common hornet is a species of large wasp that lives in Europe. It is larger in size than the common wasp, but smaller Asian hornet. In everyday life, hornets are called differently: “pirates”, “ winged corsairs" If we consider the meaning of the word hornet, then it means “evil person”, “obstinate”, Old Russian (srshen), Russian Cer-Slavic (strashen), Polish (szerszen). In the 19th century, the genus Vespa was divided into two genera: hornets (vespa) and wasps (vespula), which means small wasp.

Where do hornets live?

The main part lives in the North globe. They can be observed in many parts of the planet. These insects have adapted well to warm Asian countries. European hornets live in agricultural areas, as well as in forest areas, thickets of groves, large bushes. They like to build nests in toilets, on verandas, and in summer houses. They are also easy to find under stairs or in window openings. The vespin subfamily, living in the mountainous regions of Japan, is one of the most dangerous. In the Primorsky Territory of Russia you can find several species of these insects.

What do hornets eat?

They love rotten trees and stumps. But their favorite food is rotting berries. They prefer foods that contain a large amount of sugars (tree sap).

They can feed on other insects (wasps, bees, grasshoppers). They kill them with their poison and then chew them with powerful jaws. Hornets attack apiaries, destroying entire colonies. They are attracted to the scent of honey bees. Some types of hornets look for dead insects and are even ready to feast on them. food waste(meat products, fish).

Reproduction

As soon as the weather changes and the sun begins to warm up, the female hornet is actively looking for a place to hatch her eggs. She flies over large areas in search of shelter to start a family. As soon as it finds a convenient corner, it immediately begins building a nest. Each egg has its own sector. After a few days, a small individual will hatch from it. She chews the lid and gets out. Long before winter, the female breeds offspring, which will continue the work of the uterus.

After fertilization, the males die. Then the old queen dies, and after some time, the individuals that were not fertilized die. Fertilized hornets overwinter and then create their own nest. Only thanks to a well-coordinated organizational system in the hornet family, reproduction is successful. The division of duties (females, males and queen) allows feeding, building and raising offspring in a harmonious system.

Building a nest

An individual that has survived the cold season becomes the founder of the nest with the arrival of spring. Soon the female finds a safe place for herself high in the mountains or inside a tree. Then he arranges his place in the rooms where people live and in wooden outbuildings. Gnawing on woody species and crusty formations, insects build their houses from numerous steps. The wood goes through the stage of processing into a papyrus product. Such multi-level houses resemble products made from a thin napkin. You can see such structures in old trees, bird houses, barns. The color scheme of such designs can be varied. Brown stripes go with bright colors. Some of them look like an oval shape. But some are also round in shape. The size of such a structure is 700 by 400 mm.

Quite often, people compare the homes of hornets to a blotter nest, comparing the similarities with paper production. The main initial product for construction is thin tree cover and branches of young trees, well processed by hornets. Sticky saliva acts as a fastening material. Once applied to the house, it dries and hardens. The result is a rough, rough wrapper. The poor appearance of the structure is explained by the fact that the hornets build their houses from rotten wood. Some representatives of insects build their burrows with intricate labyrinths. They can be found deep in the ground or in forgotten animal holes. The depth of the hole can be about 60 meters.

Where do hornets spend the winter?

Hornets cannot tolerate extreme cold. But they carefully prepare for the winter. They set up their burrows on the site, in the countryside - wherever they can find shelter. How do insects manage to survive the winter and shelter from wet weather? Only the queens prepare for a long winter sleep. They play the role of leader in the family. For the female important point is to survive the winter and then lead his family. It's also safe to go to hibernation. To do this, she has to stock up well nutrients. Finding a good shelter can be considered a necessary condition for the survival of the uterus. Find a safe place on winter period- a crucial moment in the life of the uterus.

To ensure ideal wintering conditions, you need to choose a quiet corner. Any option may be suitable except warm and cozy houses where people live. Since the warm temperature in the house can awaken the female earlier, and she will begin to build a nest. This scenario will lead to bad consequences. It will be difficult to find not only wood for the nest, but also food for the offspring. The uterus under such conditions is doomed to death. An important factor in favorable hibernation is stability, without sudden temperature changes. A large number of females die during harsh winters when there is little snow. They become easy prey for birds. As a result, most die.

How long do hornets live?

Hornets differ in appearance (body size) and perform different tasks and functions. In autumn, males begin the process of fertilization, after which they soon die. Working individuals have a short lifespan - no more than three weeks. The female lives the longest - about a year. Working females and males do not live long. They grow up at the end of summer, and in the fall (early September) most of the individuals die. The surviving insects survive only until the first cold weather. Males are needed by the family only for fertilization. After mating they live only a few days. The female is able to withstand the cold and live in hibernation for up to a year. For the second winter life cycle ends, she dies.

Types of hornets

There are several dozen popular species. Hornets are part of the wasp family. They have a lot in common, but they highlight a number of distinctive features, distinguishing them from other individuals. There are 23 species of hornets. The most common types:

1. Common (living in Europe): Brown, body length 35mm. It is distinguished by two bright stripes on the lower part of the body. It is well known to Russian gardeners and beekeepers, but was recently brought to the USA and now lives there.
   
2. Black hornet (Dybowski): stripes on the black back are yellow (predator color). The wings are brown. Length 35mm. Few people are familiar with this type of hornet. Listed in the Red Book. Live in Amur region, Transbaikalia and Primorsky Krai.
   
3. Giant Asian: its body length is 6 cm, has a large wingspan. It is distinguished by its bright head and striped back. lives mostly in Asian spaces. It is also found in the mountains of Sri Lanka, as well as in India and Taiwan. It has a large sting about 6mm. The bite is dangerous and contains a toxic substance. One of the largest in the world.
   Some of the most dangerous hornets- Asian, called “killers”.
4. Japanese hornet (Japanese): a subspecies of the giant hornet called the "sparrow-bee" lives on Sakhalin. Large yellow head, large eyes, adjacent to them are 3 ocelli. The bite is painful and has dangerous consequences, since the poison contains toxins.
   
5. Eastern: has the most elaborate coloring of all types. It is distinguished by a wide yellow stripe on its belly. Bright red with a crimson tint to the wings and body. One of the many species that tolerates heat well. Well adapted for living in deserts and steppes. Originally from North Africa.
   
6. Philippine hornet: has a black color. Another name for the species is Lamentable. It is dangerous because it produces highly toxic poison. The bite is very unpleasant. The main habitat is the Philippine Islands.
   

Differences between a hornet and a wasp

These individuals are easily distinguished not only by size. The main difference from the wasp is its large, impressive jaws, unlike representatives of wasps. The coloring is slightly different. In the hornet it is more diverse. It is larger in size and has a hairy fluff. The hornet is distinguished by its movable whiskers and crown. There are similarities, but the wasp has a narrow waist.

How dangerous are hornets to humans?

Hornets can pose a danger to people in some cases. To protect themselves, the hornets gather very quickly; for this, the individual releases a special substance - an alarm signal. Other individuals can react to it and fly to the aid of a comrade and attack the offender en masse. Therefore, you should not touch the hornet in vain.

The mortality rate from hornet stings is very low, but the risk is still present. In addition, each subsequent sting will be worse tolerated by the body, because immunity to the poison is not developed, but on the contrary, the negative reaction intensifies.

Hornet sting: harm of poison and consequences of toxic effects

The bite of this insect is more painful than a bite from a bee or wasp. It all depends on the individual body’s ability to tolerate pain. If a sting occurs, it is advisable to help the person as quickly as possible. Hornets have a needle with which they can pierce the human body repeatedly. Individuals from Asia are more poisonous than European ones. The bite is accompanied by sharp pain with severe swelling. May cause: severe pain and hemorrhage followed by suppuration.

The hornet has powerful jaws. His bites are very deep. The wounds take almost a week to heal. When attacking a person, hornets use a sting that leaves scars in the form of dots, but they can also simply bite with their claws. The poison is dangerous because it is toxic and can poison the body. The bite is very painful and the consequences can be unpredictable. Elderly people, children and allergy sufferers are especially at risk. Swelling and inflammation can appear instantly after an insect attack, and suppuration is also possible. Signs of poisoning are characterized by nausea and severe dizziness.

Greatest danger bites are for those people who have an allergic reaction. They can worsen a person’s condition from several hours to 2-3 days. The bite is dangerous because the body of a person with allergies does not fight well against the effects of the poison. As a result, large swelling and difficulty breathing may occur. In some cases, people lose consciousness. The insect venom contains histamine, which most often causes a person to feel unwell, up to and including anaphylactic shock. Fatalities are caused by neglect of medical care and delayed first aid.

What to do if bitten by a hornet?

Usually people have little idea what to do if they are bitten by an insect or do not have enough knowledge to provide first aid. The appearance of severe pain is not a sign that the human body is subject to destruction. You need to know that insect venom contains components that have a strong effect on nerve endings. Therefore, the pain shock can be pronounced. In a normal situation, it is quite difficult to predict the consequences of a bite; each person’s body reacts individually. For some, a bite can only cause pain and swelling, while for others it can end in disaster, including asphyxia, loss of consciousness and even death. If bitten, first aid must be provided immediately. Inaction is unacceptable!

1. The first necessary condition that you need to remember is that there is no sting in the wound, only poison.
2. Try to remove the poison by sucking it out.
3. Treat the bite site with a solution of lemon or acetic acid.
4. Try washing with any soap solution.
5. Treat the wound with an alcohol-containing solution or hydrogen peroxide.
6. After this, you need to apply cold with wet sugar. This reduces the risk of poison spreading throughout the body.
7. You should not drink alcohol after a bite. This will cause even more swelling and worsen the person’s condition. Bites to the neck and head area are very dangerous.
8. From folk remedies You can use the juices of plants such as dandelion, plantain or soda solution. Onion and garlic cloves are also suitable for treatment.

Signs of an allergic reaction from a bite:

• severe headaches;
• elevated temperature;
• cardiopalmus;
• hard breath;
• pain in the abdomen.

If you have these symptoms, you need to take painkillers in tablet form. This reduces the effect of histamine. You also need to drink a lot of water to reduce poisoning.

It must be remembered that if none of the methods help with a bite, and the condition begins to worsen, call a doctor immediately.

How to get rid of hornets?

First you need to find out where the insects have settled. Withdrawal is not difficult if you know the basic methods.

1. Spray plastic bag insect spray. Then put it on the hornets' nest. You can use repellents for many household insects. If the colony is located high in an inaccessible place, then the bag treated with the product is tied at the bottom.
2. The hornets' habitat is watered with a flammable liquid or set on fire. This violates all environmental rules and is a cruel method. This cannot be done indoors. It is better to choose a more gentle option.
3. If you find a nest under the roof, hang a bucket of hot water or diluted kerosene from the ceiling. Then they lower the nest there. After the insects die, the waste is disposed of.
4. Fill the honeycomb with construction foam. Once trapped, the insects die.
5. If the hornets are indoors, you need to fill the container halfway with water and raise it to the desired height, and then lower the nest there. Then wait for the insects to die.
6. Call exterminators who will help destroy insects quickly and effectively.

There are many unusual animals in the world. The hornet is the largest of the wasp family. This species is inherently peaceful, it does not harm people and does not attack in vain, but only in case of threat or danger. Most people have little idea about hornets. Their impressive appearance and the presence of poison in them causes panic in many people. But if you understand well the behavior and life of this family, it becomes clear that these insects do not cause harm. They are hardworking builders who care for their offspring in order to preserve the species.

On a warm May day you can see a large wasp buzzing as it goes about its business. This is a common hornet - a representative of the family of social wasps. Despite its impressive size, it is not aggressive. Vespa crabro or hornet wasp prefers to feed on fruit juice and other sweet foods. Insects live in large families with a constant hierarchy. The head of the colony is the queen - the only female capable of laying fertilized eggs. The purpose of working females and males is to serve the queen and the growing larvae.

Description of the hornet

Vespa crabro is a species of the largest wasp found in Europe. The body length of working individuals is 18-24 mm, the uterus is much larger - 25-35 mm. Appearance females and males are almost identical, their differences are noticeable only with magnification. The number of segments in the antennae of the male is 13, and in the female 12, on the abdomen - 7 and 6, respectively. Small transparent wings fold along the back when at rest. The deep slit of the reddish-orange eyes resembles the letter "C". The surface of the body is densely covered with hairs.

Interesting fact. There are 9 subspecies of Vespa crabro in the world.

Area of ​​residence

In the Northern Hemisphere, up to the 63rd parallel, the most common species is the common hornet. It can be found in Europe, North America, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. In Russia, insects live over a vast territory from the European border to the Ural Mountains and Siberia. Even in the northern and eastern provinces of China they know what the European hornet looks like.

Interesting fact. Until the mid-19th century, hornet wasps were not found in North America. They were accidentally introduced by European sailors.

Differences between a hornet and a wasp

Hornets differ from other members of the family in size and enlarged nape. These parameters immediately catch your eye. The differences are also noticeable in the nuances of color - the back, base of the abdomen and antennae of the hornet are brown, while those of the wasp are black. The basic proportions of the body structure of insects are similar; they have a thin waist, strong jaws, and a sting.

External features complement the differences in character; despite its superior size, the common hornet is less aggressive than the wasp. An attack can be provoked by approaching the nest where the hornets live in the summer.

Information. A prejudiced attitude towards hornet wasps has developed due to their impressive size and menacing buzzing sound when flying. Unreasonable fear causes active actions towards the insects, the person waving his hands at it will be bitten.

Types of hornets

There are more than two dozen varieties of hornets. Initially, insects were found only in East Asia. With the help of humans, typical inhabitants of the subtropics reached North America and Canada. In addition to the ordinary one, which is described above, it is worth considering three interesting and numerous types:

To learn more about an insect, consider its life cycle from birth to death.

Birth

A single queen gives life to an entire generation of a family of giant wasps. In the spring she finds a place to build a house for a new colony. The female makes the first honeycombs herself, then lays eggs in them. After a few days, larvae appear and require animal food. Their mother regularly goes hunting for caterpillars, beetles, butterflies and other insects. The grown larvae wrap themselves in silk thread and turn into pupae. Two weeks later, the young hornets gnaw the path of their cocoon.

Interesting. In bad rainy weather, the hornets cannot fly out of the nest, then the larvae give droplets of food to the workers.

Maturity

In July, several working males and females grow up and are ready to take care of the family. They help complete the construction of honeycombs and fly for protein for the larvae. The queen stops leaving the house and concentrates on laying eggs. How long do hornets live? The life of working females and males is very short. They grow up at the end of summer, and in September most of the individuals die. The rest survive until the first cold weather.

In early autumn, the family reaches its population peak. In the last clutch, the queen laid fertilized eggs, from which females emerged that could become new queens. Individuals born earlier had altered ovaries; their functioning was suppressed by the queen's pheromones. Young females and males begin to swarm around the nest and mate. The insects will save the sperm obtained in the fall to found a new family. After mating, males will live for about a week. The old queen loses her ability to reproduce and is driven out onto the street or killed.

How do hornets winter?

Almost all members of the hornet colony die before the onset of winter. Only fertilized young females will remain. During the last warm days, they actively hunt, replenishing their body’s energy reserves. A decrease in daylight hours becomes a signal for the onset of diapause. This is a condition in which the body's metabolic processes are inhibited.

Where do hornets winter? They choose secluded places where they can hide from severe frosts and natural enemies– birds and mammals. Females prefer to climb under the bark of trees; the deeper they are, the greater the chance of surviving until spring. For wintering, tree hollows filled with fallen leaves, crevices in sheds, and attics are used. Females will wake up in May, when the average air temperature does not fall below 10 0. They will live the longest - 1 year and create a new family of common hornets.

Nutrition

Hornets can be called omnivorous insects; they are dexterous hunters, but at the same time lovers of plant foods. What do hornets eat? Adults have a wide gastronomic diet:

• nectar;
• juice of ripe soft fruits (peach, pear, apple);
• berries - raspberries, blackberries, strawberries;
• aphid secretions;

Predatory insects, except for the queen, eat their relatives only at the larval stage. Working individuals with enviable diligence shuttle between the nest and the hunting site, bringing spiders, centipedes, and worms to their offspring. Hornets cut up prey with powerful jaws, feeding protein to the growing larvae and queen, which requires strength to lay eggs. Large wasps often attack individual bees and hives. One large individual is capable of tearing apart up to 30 honey plants.

Interesting fact. Hornets do not have a long period of sleep; they are active at any time of the day. To rest, they simply freeze for a few minutes. Numerous hungry larvae, the number of which sometimes reaches up to 500, require a lot of food. A family of predatory insects is capable of destroying up to 0.5 kg of garden pests daily.

Building a nest

The place for the hornets' nest should be secluded, protected from bad weather and drafts. In nature, these are tree hollows; a reduction in their number forces the queen to seek shelter close to human habitation. Sometimes females choose a nesting box, which soon becomes completely filled with tiers of honeycombs, requiring them to find a new location. Insects can simply hang a nest on a tree branch, hide it in a rock crevice, a steppe hole, or in the attic of a house or outbuilding.

If there is no rotten stump or other wood nearby, working individuals cause significant damage to young branches. With strong jaws they scrape off the bark, which they use to build a nest. Ash or birch wood is mixed with saliva and becomes the building material for the hexagonal honeycomb walls of the nest. Born architects can create real masterpieces.

The nest material resembles cardboard or corrugated paper. The expansion of the structure is carried out in tiers, from top to bottom. From the first leg, attached by the uterus, it will grow to 5-7 tiers. Honeycomb plates have up to 500 cells. The outside of the nest has the shape of a cocoon. The thickness of the protective walls is several centimeters. Interestingly, the color of the cocoon depends on the wood, the most common being brown. The shape of the nest changes depending on the stage of construction. Typically, insects flock to their home to rest at night. How many hornets are in the nest? Their number depends on the stage of development of the colony, favorable conditions, and abundance of food. The colony can number 300-400 individuals.

Information. Despite the colossal efforts spent on building the nest, the insects will not settle in it next year. The young queens will find a new home.

How does a hornet bite?

The insect has a sharp and smooth sting that stings quickly and painfully. The insect's venom is not more toxic than that of a bee, and therefore the symptoms of intoxication are similar. The consequences of a bite depend on the body's reaction. Even with strong immunity, swelling and redness appear at the puncture site. If an individual manages to inject a large amount of poison by inflicting several sting strikes, inflammation occurs. With increased sensitivity to the toxin, anaphylactic shock occurs. In this case, urgent hospitalization is required.

Why does a severe allergic reaction occur? It is caused by histamine, a substance found in chemical formula poison. Histamine accelerates the allergic effect, so even with a strong immune system, malaise appears. In Russia, death from the bites of the common hornet has been recorded only a few times in the history of observations. The largest number of deaths occur due to giant hornets in Asia.

The sting for hornets is a weapon of defense. It is a modified ovipositor connected to a gland that produces a toxin. The absence of notches makes it easy to remove the weapon from the wound. The introduction of poison occurs through muscle contraction. How does a hornet sting? It pierces the enemy's skin and injects a drop of toxin. The presence of a substance that acts on nerve endings causes instant pain. At the time of the bite, the insect does not use up its entire supply of poison. Otherwise, it will remain unarmed during the next attack. It takes some time for the poison to recover.

Attention. Bites in the neck area of ​​the mouth are especially dangerous; they cause swelling of the larynx and block breathing. Due to immature immunity, children are at greater risk than adults.

For hunting, insects use their jaws, tearing prey with them. The production of potent poison and a long, strong sting indicate that they often have to repel enemy attacks on the nest.

Danger to humans - myth or reality?

The behavior of the common hornet differs significantly depending on the distance from the nest. During flights for food for themselves, the queen and larvae, they behave peacefully. But, when a real or imaginary danger to the nest appears, the hornets mercilessly sting everyone who falls into the zone of their aggression. There are always several individuals on duty near the house for protection. In the event of an attack, they give a special alarm signal that gathers the whole family.

How dangerous are hornets to humans? The strong venom of insects when bitten causes an attack of pain. Unpleasant sensations and swelling may persist for several days. The symptoms are similar for all victims, only the intensity of the manifestation differs.

Insects jealously defend their nest, but with careful approach, you can monitor the life of the colony. The main thing is to remember a few rules of behavior:

• do not make sudden movements;
• do not touch the nest with your hands or a stick;
• do not interfere with the flight of the hornets.

It is recommended to destroy the nests of the common hornet only if there is an increased danger in the neighborhood. For example, if it is located in a used room or next to an apiary. Predators are the worst enemies of bees and beekeepers. People with hypersensitivity to poison should get rid of the neighborhood, otherwise they will be in danger. In general, large wasps are peaceful neighbors, which will also help with the destruction of pests.