European Hornet

European Hornets (Vespa crabro) are insects from the family Vespidae. They build their nests in the ground or in holes of trees. The nest is founded in spring by a fertilized female - the queen. She builds a series of cells from chewed tree bark. Hornets can act aggressive while defending their nest and the stings are quite painful ( but only dangerous to people allergic to the venom). The males do not have stings. Hornet colonies die out every winter. Only the fertilized queens survive. Spinners Nature Preserve - Czarnorzeki - May, 2008.