The European hornet (Vespa crabro) is the largest wasp species found in Ohio. Their size often leads to fear and misidentification. However, these hornets are beneficial predators found across Ohio.
History and Distribution
The European hornet is an introduced species to the United States. It was first reported in the Eastern United States in 1840 (Akre et al, 1981) and has spread westward as far as Oklahoma and Kansas, based on iNaturalist European hornet data (Inaturalist, n.d.). Despite its non-native status, it is considered naturalized in the Eastern United States. It is the only true hornet species (genus Vespa) in North America. Other wasps of Ohio with the common name of hornet such as the bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata), are in the yellow-jacket genera of Vespula and Dolichovespula.
Identification
European hornets are 1 to 1 ½ inches long and are colored mahogany-brown or reddish-brown on the thorax, top-of-head, and jowls. They have a yellow face, brown wings, and a yellow and black-banded abdomen. The black bands on the abdomen have extensions towards the rear that look like tear drops.
Life Cycle and Habits
Mated queens emerge from hibernation in early spring. These large females (1 1/2 inches in length) are responsible for finding a suitable nest location and beginning the construction of the nest. The queen lays eggs in the first few nest cells she has built. These eggs hatch and grow to become her first, small (1 inch), worker daughters. They take over the job of building the nest and begin hunting caterpillars, grasshoppers, and other insects to feed to their sister larvae as they hatch.
In late summer, male eggs are laid. When these males emerge as adults, they mate with new queens for the next season. These newly mated queens will overwinter away from the nest under bark, mulch or leaf litter, and in other protected spaces. These are the only members of the colony that will survive winter. The original queen and workers will die from starvation or be frozen by winter’s low temperatures.
Like many wasps in Ohio, European hornets construct a new papier-mâché nest each year. European hornets usually build their light brown, paper-based nests within a protective cavity such as a hollow tree. They prefer a high entry site, usually 6 feet or higher above ground which provides additional protection from nest raiders. Unfortunately, this may bring hornets in conflict with humans because their preferred nesting sites include attics, garages, barns, wall voids, and window shutters.
European hornets may also become a nuisance by stripping bark to feed on sap from tender twigs on woody perennials and trees in late summer. Damage is rarely significant, however tender, young, branch tips may die if girdled. Hornets also seek out carbohydrate-rich foods in late summer such as fruit from orchard trees or other sugary treats.
This is one of the few hornet species that flies at night. It is often found at windows, attracted to the light from within homes, barns, or garages. They can also act aggressively towards headlights, flood lights, and porch lights that shine towards their nest. Turning off lights or drawing the blinds can help deter this behavior.
Invasive or Not?
Invasive species are defined as non-native species that also cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health. European hornets are non-native but sources differ on whether they should be categorized as invasive in the United States. As of 2024, the European hornet is not listed on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) national invasive species list but may be on local state or non-profit agency lists (USDA, n.d.).
Identity Crisis
The European hornet is often confused for the media-sensationalized Northern Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarina) colloquially termed the Murder Hornet or Asian Giant Hornet. Its name was officially changed to Northern Giant Hornet (NGH) by the Entomological Society of America in July 2022.
Northern Giant Hornet was confirmed in December 2019 in Washington State and British Columbia, Canada (WSDA, n.d.). Aggressive control measures were taken and NGH has not been confirmed anywhere else in the United States. According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, it was declared officially eradicated in 2024 (WSDA, n.d.). This does not mean we should be complacent.
Yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina), another true hornet from subtropical Asian regions, was confirmed in Georgia in August 2023 (GDA, 2025). This is another predatory wasp that feeds on honeybees and other smaller insects.
Both the Northern Giant Hornet and Yellow-legged hornet (a.k.a. the bee hawk) are defined as invasive species as they pose a threat to honeybee colonies and the beekeeping industry due to their aggressive feeding behavior. While these two species can decimate a beehive in a few days, the European hornet is not as aggressive. European hornets will feed on individual honeybees but are not known to fully depopulate an apiary in the way these other two new invasives do.
More Northern Giant Hornet look-alikes can be found at the USDA, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Northern Giant Hornet webpage (aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/honey-bees/ngh/northern-giant-hornet). New invasive species can arrive at any time. If a species of concern is found, contact your county extension office for assistance in identification and confirmation.
Another species often misidentified as European hornet is the solitary and native cicada killer wasp (Specius speciosus) (Shetlar and Andon, 2015). The Cicada Killer Wasp fact sheet (ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-63) provides more information on this species. Unlike the other wasps, this species does not create a papier-mâché nest and does not produce a brood of worker daughters. This “single mom” species digs a tunnel into soft, exposed soil and creates underground chambers where she drags a paralyzed annual cicada (Tibicen spp.) beside which she lays a single egg. When the wasp larva hatches from the egg, the larva feeds on the cicada host. After finishing the host, the larva pupates in the chamber where it remains until the next season (Shetlar & Andon, 2015).
This species is very unlikely to sting. However, males are known to hover protectively near nests and even dive-bomb passersby, but they are incapable of stinging.
Cicada killer wasps are distinguishable from European hornets by their coloration. Cicada killer wasps have black abdomens with yellow splotches and reddish eyes. They have amber wings and are generally slenderer than the European hornet.
Controlling European Hornets
European hornets are beneficial predators in the landscape because they feed on other insects. It is not necessary to control European hornets unless they are a nuisance around the home or in high-traffic areas.
The first option is to leave the nest until winter. European hornets create annual nests which, at their largest, may contain 200–400 workers (Penn State Extension, 2025). These workers will die of starvation or freeze to death as winter approaches. The overwintered, mated queens will not reuse old nests.
Cultural practices can reduce run-ins with the European hornet. Avoid attracting hornets by cleaning up fallen fruit from trees and keep trash cans closed. Turn off porch lights or flood lights illuminating a nearby nest to avoid drawing the hornets to structures at night.
Individual hornets can be controlled by swatting or stomping them, or spraying them with aerosol insecticide labeled for wasps.
If further management is warranted, the nest will need to be found and eliminated. Once discovered, insecticidal dust can be applied to the nest entrance at night following all label instructions. Because European hornets fly at night, unlike other common nuisance wasps, the risk of being stung does exist when treating after dark. Protective clothing should be worn to reduce sting risk. Long sleeves and pants tucked in to socks or taped at the ankle and wrists may help prevent stings.
Hiring a professional may be required to ensure safety. Never block off the entrance to a wasp or hornet nest, especially if it is in a wall void. Hornets can chew new exit holes through drywall and emerge inside the home.
Inspect the home in early spring before new queens find a suitable cavity to build a nest. Watch for large queen hornets or other wasps entering and exiting around the home. Seal cracks around pipes and exhaust ducts. Inspect rooflines, windows, and soffits for access points. Preventing nesting will go a long way toward reducing hornet-human conflict.
The label is the law for pesticide use. Please follow all instructions to ensure safe and effective use of a product.
Additional Resources
- Non-native yellow-legged hornet confirmed in Georgia, U.S. for the first time
(newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/10271/yellow-legged-hornet.html) - European Hornet in Kentucky
(entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef600)
References
Akre, R. D., Greene, A., MacDonald, J. F., Landolt, P. J., & Davis, H. G.. (1981). Yellowjackets of America North of Mexico. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1060&context=bee_lab_a
Georgia Department of Agriculture (2025). Yellow-legged hornet.
agr.georgia.gov/yellow-legged-hornet
iNaturalist. (n.d.). European Hornet (Vespa crabro). iNaturalist.org.
inaturalist.org/taxa/54327-Vespa-crabro
Penn State Extension. (2025). European hornet [Fact sheet]. The Pennsylvania State University.
extension.psu.edu/european-hornet
Shetlar, D., & Andon, J. (2015). Cicada killer wasp [Fact sheet]. Ohioline, Ohio State University Extension.
ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-63
U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (n.d.). Invasive species profiles list.
invasivespeciesinfo.gov/species-profiles-list
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). (n.d.). Invasive hornets.
agr.wa.gov/hornets