Wasps and hornets do look very similar. But do they look the same? How can you tell a wasp from a hornet? There are several ways to do so. First, we’ll discuss the ways to tell them apart. These include their physical features and behaviours and which types of bees and wasps live inside and outside your home.
Wasp vs Hornet Size
Wasps and hornets are both in the order of Hymenoptera. They are closely related but have different physical characteristics, social behaviours, life cycles, and diets.
The most apparent difference between wasps and hornets is size. A European hornet can grow up to 2 inches long, while a paper wasp is only 1/2 inch long at maturity. The Asian giant hornet can be up to 4 inches in length.
On average, the wasp is about 1 inch long and black with yellow stripes. The hornet is about 1 1/2 inches long and black with yellow stripes. The yellow stripe on the wasp is more pronounced than on the hornet.
Hornets are larger than wasps, but several other differences between these insects make them easier to tell apart.
Hornet Sting Vs Wasp Sting
As you can imagine, the stings of a hornet and a wasp differ greatly. The first thing to know is that there are many different kinds of hornets, and they come in different sizes. The most common is the bald-faced hornet, which is often mistaken for a yellowjacket because of its colour and size.
Hornet stings typically cause more pain than wasps because they inject their venom through a larger needle-like tube called an ovipositor (which delivers eggs). Wasps sting with their mandibles (the two front legs), which means their venom is injected through smaller pores. In addition, wasps generally don’t attack unless provoked or disturbed, whereas hornets will repeatedly attack if they feel threatened.
Wasp Nest Vs Hornet Nest
Another critical difference between these two insects is their nests. Paper wasps build large nests from chewed wood fibre mixed with saliva. Hornets create small nests from wood pulp mixed with saliva. Their nests also look very different. Hornets build their homes on tree trunks or high up in bushes or tall grasses; paper wasps build their nests inside trees or under rocks or logs on the ground.
Hornets build nests of paper-like materials hanging from tree branches or other structures. The nest is usually built high off the ground to protect it from predators. Hornet nests can be as large as 1 foot across by 3 feet long by 5 inches deep, with workers and eggs inside.
Wasps are also social insects but tend to be much smaller than hornets. Wasps build nests out of twigs or mud for protection rather than paper-like material like hornets do. These nests are often found in the ground or on trees close to where people live or work because wasps prefer to build their homes near food sources such as flowers or fruit trees so they can feed easily on nectar and other food sources before returning home to rest after.
Queen Wasp vs Queen Hornet
The queen wasp and the queen hornet are female insects that can reproduce. This means they can lay eggs and produce offspring. They are also able to control their colony and make sure that everything is running smoothly.
However, there are some significant differences between these two types of insects. The queen hornet is larger than the queen wasp, but both are very aggressive and can sting if provoked. In addition, they live in colonies with workers who help them with various tasks, including tending to young or building nests.
The queens also have longer antennae than other members of their species. These antennae help them sense their surroundings better than other members of their colony who do not have such long antennae.
The wings of a queen wasp are longer than those of other colony members, allowing them to fly better than other members of their colony.
The queens are responsible for laying eggs for new generations of wasps & hornets to emerge from their nests throughout the year.
Conclusion
Wasps and hornets are both members of the Vespidae family of insects, but there are some key differences between the two.
Size: Hornets are generally larger than wasps, with some species reaching up to 2 inches long. Wasps are typically 1-1.5 inches long.
Colour: Hornets are typically yellow and black striped, while wasps may be solid black, yellow, or red.
Nest: Hornets build larger nests than wasps, often hanging from trees or other structures. Wasp nests are typically smaller and located in sheltered areas, such as under eaves or in attics.
Behaviour: Hornets are generally more aggressive than wasps and are more likely to sting if they feel threatened. Wasps are typically more docile and will only sting if they are provoked.
Venom: Hornet venom is more potent than wasp venom and can cause more severe allergic reactions.
Diet: Both wasps and hornets are predators and scavengers. They eat insects, spiders, and other small animals. Hornets will also eat fruit and nectar.
Benefits: Wasps and hornets are beneficial insects because they help to control populations of pests. They also pollinate flowers.
Harm: Wasps and hornets can sting humans, which can be painful and sometimes fatal. They can also damage property by building nests in structures.
Control: If you have a problem with wasps or hornets, it is important to call a professional pest control company. Do not attempt to remove the nest yourself, as this could lead to an attack.
Here are some additional facts about wasps and hornets:
- There are over 100,000 species of wasps in the world.
- Hornets are the largest type of wasp.
- Wasps and hornets are social insects, meaning they live in colonies.
- The queen wasp is the only female that can lay eggs.
- Worker wasps and hornets are sterile females.
- Wasps and hornets feed their larvae a diet of insects, spiders, and other small animals.
- Wasps and hornets are important pollinators.
- Wasps and hornets can sting humans, but most stings are not fatal.
- If you are stung by a wasp or hornet, it is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Hives
If you need help managing any of the common pests above, give Eliminate Ltd a call. We offer wasp nest removal throughout the UK and are highly trained to eradicate nests in commercial and domestic properties. If you need effective wasp removal in Liverpool, call us today.
