Vespa simillima
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Vespa simillima | |
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Vespa simillima | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Vespidae |
Genus: | Vespa |
Species: | V. simillima
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Binomial name | |
Vespa simillima Smith, 1868
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Synonyms | |
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Vespa simillima, the yellow hornet, including the color form known as the Japanese hornet or Japanese yellow hornet (キイロスズメバチ), is a common
Biology
Due to the large size of the swarm and aggressiveness of the yellow hornet, predation against them is rare. However, along with other insects in Japan and Korea, they are prey to the Asian giant hornet and nests have been known to be deserted after Asian giant hornet attacks, even though they attack in groups of only 10 to 30.
Nests of the yellow hornet are sometimes attacked by the parasitic species known as the black hornet (Vespa dybowskii). In the early stage of nesting, the black hornet queen attacks the queens of other hornets, including the yellow hornet and European hornet. If the assault succeeds, it will usurp the nest to produce its offspring, assisted by the workers of the former owner.[1]
The yellow hornet has the largest swarms of all of the hornet species, containing 1,000 to 2,000 workers.[citation needed] Although the yellow hornet is much smaller than the Asian giant hornet, it can be more dangerous to humans because it will attack people in greater numbers.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b A.H. Smith-Pardo, J.M. Carpenter, L. Kimsey (2020) The diversity of hornets in the genus Vespa (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; Vespinae), their importance and interceptions in the United States. Insect Systematics and Diversity 4(3) https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixaa006