What are Hornets?

About Hornets:

• Hornets are a breed of social wasps, living in large, highly organized colonies.
• They are a group of 20 species occurring naturally only in Asia, Europe, and Africa, with one species introduced to North America.
• Hornets belong to the insect family Vespidae. This family contains each species of hornets as well as wasps such as yellow jackets, paper wasps, potter wasps, and pollen wasps.
• Hornets tend to be black or brown with yellow or yellowish markings.
• Due to their size, hornets have a reputation for being more dangerous than other wasp species, though they are not always more aggressive. 
• Hornets release more venom per sting than any other stinging insect.
• One species, the northern giant hornet, or Asian giant hornet (V. mandarinia), which is native to Asia, is the largest known wasp species in the world. 
• Typically, hornets like to build their nests in high areas. 
• Diet:
  • Hornets are known to have a rich diet of sugar and protein, among other things.
  • They prey on other insects, including honeybees and social wasps, and chew them into a paste as food for their larvae.

Q1: What are potter wasps?

Potter wasps, belonging to the subfamily Eumeninae within the family Vespidae, are solitary wasps known for their distinctive nest-building behavior. Unlike social wasps, which live in colonies, potter wasps are solitary and construct individual nests made from mud. The nests are usually small, pot-like structures, hence the name “potter wasps.”

News: Hornets can hold their alcohol like no other animal on Earth

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