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Vespa crabro
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Roberto Innocenzi (cobra112)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 573 W: 9 N: 1167]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (6380) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2009-10-18 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Camera: Nikon D40X |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-11-04 4:20 |
| Viewed: 166 |
| Points: 34 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Help for id
Many thanks to: Maurizio and
Anne
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Family: Vespidae
Subfamily:Vespinae
Genus: Vespa
Hornets are the largest eusocial wasps; some species can reach up to 55 mm (2.2 in) in length. The true hornets make up the genus Vespa and are distinguished from other vespines by the width of the vertex (part of the head behind the eyes), which is proportionally larger in Vespa and by the anteriorly rounded gasters (the section of the abdomen behind the wasp waist). In Vespa crabro, the nest is founded in spring by a fertilized female known as the queen. It generally selects sheltered places like dark hollow tree trunks. It first builds a series of cells (up to 50) out of chewed tree bark. The cells are arranged in horizontal layers named combs, each cell being vertical and closed at the top. An egg is then laid in each cell. After 5–8 days, the egg hatches, and in the next two weeks, the larva undergoes its five stages. During this time, the queen feeds in a protein-rich diet of insects. Then, the larva spins a silk cap over the cell's opening and, during the next two weeks, transforms into an adult, a process called metamorphosis. Then, the adult eats its way through the silk cap. This first generation of workers, invariably females, will now gradually undertake all the tasks that were formerly carried out by the queen (foraging, nest building, taking care of the brood, etc.) with one exception: egg-laying, which remains exclusive to the queen. As the colony size grows, new combs are added, and an envelope is built around the cell layers until the nest is entirely covered with the exception of an entry hole. At the peak of its population, the colony can reach a size of 700 workers, which occurs in late summer. At this time, the queen starts producing the first reproductive individuals. Fertilized eggs develop into females (called "gynes" by entomologists), and unfertilized ones develop into males (sometimes called "drones"). Adult males do not participate in nest maintenance, foraging, or caretaking of the larvae. In early to mid-autumn, they leave the nest and mate during "nuptial flights". Males die shortly after mating. The workers and queens survive at most until mid to late autumn; only the fertilized queens survive over winter. Other temperate species (e.g. the yellow hornet, V. simillima, or the Oriental hornet, V. orientalis) have similar cycles. In the case of tropical species (e.g., V. tropica), life histories may well differ, and in species with both tropical and temperate distributions (such as the Asian giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia), it is conceivable that the cycle depends on latitude. hornet's sting is painful to humans, but the sting toxicity varies greatly by hornet species. Some deliver just a typical insect sting, while others are among the most venomous known insects.[1] Allergic reactions, fatal in severe cases, can occur; an individual suffering from anaphylactic shock may die unless treated immediately via epinephrine ("adrenaline") injection using a device such as an EpiPen, with prompt followup treatment in a hospital.
European hornet sting
• in itself is not fatal except sometimes to allergic victims.
• multiple stings (several hundred) may be fatal due to the amount of venom (similar to wasps and bees).]
• is less toxic than a bee sting.
Non-European hornet sting
• in itself is not fatal except sometimes to allergic victims.
• multiple stings (an entire nest) can be fatal due to highly toxic species-specific additions in the venom.
• is more toxic than a wasp or bee sting
• from the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica) is the most venomous known (per sting).
All hornet stings
• are an allergen for people with an allergy to wasp venom.
• those allergic to wasp venom are not necessarily allergic to bee venom as they contain different chemicals.
• contain less volume of venom than a bee sting.
• are primarily for killing insect prey.
• are more painful than a typical wasp's due to a large amount (5%) of acetylcholine.
As in all stinging wasps, hornets can sting multiple times; they do not die after stinging a human as is typical for a worker honey bee, as a hornet's sting is not barbed (the honey bee stinger has evolved for defending the nest against vertebrates/mammals). They can also bite and sting at the same time.
Hornets, like many social wasps, can mobilize the entire nest to sting in defense, which is highly dangerous to humans. The hornet alarm pheromone is used to raise alarm of nest attack and to identify prey, such as bees. It is not advisable to kill a hornet anywhere near a nest, as the distress signal can trigger the entire nest to attack. Materials that come in contact with pheromone, such as clothes, skin, dead prey, or hornets, must be removed from the vicinity of the hornets nest. Perfumes and other volatile chemicals can be falsely identified as pheromone by the hornets and trigger an attack. Hornets and yellow jackets prey on many insects that are considered to be pests, so they are actually beneficial. They do also prey on bees, but unlike honey bees, hornet and yellow jacket colonies die out every winter. While taxonomically well-defined, there may be some ambiguity about the differences between hornets and other wasps of the family Vespidae, specifically the yellow jackets, which are members of the same subfamily. Yellow jackets are generally smaller than hornets and are bright yellow and black, whereas hornets may be darker in color - see wasp and bee characteristics. Another major difference between yellow jackets and hornets is each of their food choices and aggression towards humans. In autumn, yellow jackets may be attracted to human foods and food wastes, increasing potentially aggressive contact between yellow jackets and humans. Hornets, on the other hand, tend to stick to live insects. Some other large wasps are sometimes referred to as hornets, most notably the bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) found in North America. It is set apart by its black and ivory coloration. The name "hornet" is used for this and related species primarily because of their habit of making aerial nests (similar to the true hornets) rather than subterranean nests. Another example is the Australian hornet (Abispa ephippium), which is actually a species of potter wasp. |
roges, horias, marianas, nasokoun, nglen, siggi, Silvio2006, Noisette, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- anel
(15676)
- [2009-11-04 4:47]
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Hello Roberto,
Cela ressemble beaucoup au frelon (la charmante Vespa crabro), mais je ne suis pas sûre à 100%. Toutefois j'en ai eu un dernièrement dans mon appartement et toute la famille était en émoi! Tu t'es bien penché par-dessus la créature et elle ne t'a pas piqué!
Une belle image, bien nette et naturelle
Bon après-midi
Anne
Ciao Roberto,
a me sembra il normale calabrone (Vespa crabo) anche se non ha la fascia gialla ma marrone sulla testa, comunque parti da questa identificazione per un'eventuale ricerca,
ottimaa definizione e bei colori naturali e ben saturati, una bella composizione stretta per questo scatto macro.
Grazie e complimenti
Ciao Maurizio
Hola Roberto,
yo creo que se trata de Dolichovespula media Retzius 1783.
Compruébalo tú para más seguridad ya que yo no soy un experto. Por cierto, muy bien capturada.
Saludos: JOSEP IGNASI.
http://zoologie.umh.ac.be/hymenoptera/galerie/exploredb.aspx?parent=41
hello Roberto
this is a super sharpness picture
great details and beautiful colours
nice compo with good BG.
greeting lou
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- roges
(3040)
- [2009-11-04 6:37]
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Ciao Roberto,
Un'altra macro very nice. Nizza di cattura, ma pericolose, con alcuni colori interessanti.
Vorrei uno giorno tranquillo
Adrian
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- horias
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 387 W: 59 N: 854]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(3948) - [2009-11-04 7:03]
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Roberto
Great sharp wasp!
Wonderful colors!
Great capture!
Horia
Wonderful wasp!
Great details!
Mariana
hello Roberto
splendid output in colours and in the details,very fine macro photo!
TFS keep on photographing!
Nasos
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- joska
(5396)
- [2009-11-04 9:18]
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Very good shot, you are lucky!
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- nglen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2907 W: 34 N: 8619]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(32124) - [2009-11-04 10:52]
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Hi Roberto. We somtimes have them in the garden and they can be a fair size. You have taken this one with fine detail and sharp focusing. I like the pose from above so we can see all of the markings. all with rich colours. well taken TFs.
Nick..
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- siggi
(16174)
- [2009-11-04 10:55]
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Hello Roberto,
Excellent macro of this Vespa. I like your POV and the sharp details. Beautiful colours too that stand out against the green background.
Best regards Siggi
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- lousat
(19661)
- [2009-11-04 14:40]
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Luce del tramonto o tempo di esposizione rapidissimo? E' l'unico dubbio che mi rimane,la foto e' qualitativamente perfetta,peccato che ci siamo ridotti alle vespe ma penso che pure tu sei in difficolta' nel trovare qualcosa di nuovo da postare..ehhe..buona giornata,LUCIANO
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- foozi
(9065)
- [2009-11-04 16:39]
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Hi Roberto,
indeed very lively and sharp presentation of this bee.
the word vespa really gives me a good idea of the species.
Well presented and excellent close up to understand this insect feastures.
Well composed shot.
Regards,
Foozi
Hello Roberto,
A great capture with fine colors, sharpness & details. Lovely POV, pose & BG. Well taken & TFS.
Regards
Umar
Ciao Roberto, 'mazza che dettagli sta vespa, fantastioca macro, ottima nitidezza e magnifici colori, la nota la finisco di leggere quando vado in pensione, bravissimo, ciao Silvio
ciao Roberto
very good shot of this impressive insect with great POV from his back
you have captured all the fine details of this Vespa Crabro, beatiful natural lighting and colors
the texture of the leaf are also well seen
Have a good night
Jacqueline
Ciao amico Roberto,
A delightful and technically stunning macro capture of a Vespa from dorsal POV with great clarity and fine composition.
TFS and have a nice day amico mio!
Cheers,
Bayram
