Download top and best high-quality free Murder Hornet PNG Transparent Images backgrounds available in various sizes. To view the full PNG size resolution click on any of the below image thumbnail.

License Info: Creative Commons 4.0 BY-NC

Hornets (insects of the genus Vespa) are the largest of the eusocial wasps and look similar to their their close relatives yellowjackets. Some species can reach 5.5 cm (2.2 inches) in length. They differ from other vespin wasps in a relatively large upper edge of the head and a rounded segment of the abdomen, just behind the waist. There are 22 types of Vespa known worldwide. Most species are found only in the tropics of Asia, although the European hornet (V. crabro) is widespread in Europe, Russia, North America and North-East Asia. Wasps native to North America in the genus Dolichovespula are commonly referred to as hornets (e.g. baldfaced hornets), but are actually yellowjackets.

Like other social wasps, hornets build communal nests by chewing wood to make paper pulp. Each nest has a queen laying eggs and is visited by workers who, being genetically females, cannot lay fertiled eggs. Most species build open nests in trees and shrubs, but some (like Vespa orientalis) build their nests underground or in other cavities. In the tropics, these nests can exist all year round, but in temperate climates, the nest dies in winter, and single queens hibernate in fallen leaves or other insulating material until spring. Male hornets are obedient and have no stingers.

Hornets are often considered pests because they aggressively guard their nesting sites when threatened, and their stings can be more dangerous than bee stings. While taxonomically well defined, there may be some confusion regarding the differences between hornets and other wasps in the family. Vespidae, in particular the yellow jackets, which belong to the same subfamily. In addition, a related genus of Asian nocturnal vespines, Provespa, is called “night wasps” or “night hornets”, although they are not true hornets.

Several other large wasps are sometimes referred to as hornets, most notably the baldfaced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) native to North America. It is separated from black and ivory coloration. The name “hornet” is used for this species mainly because of its habit of building aerial nests (similar to some of the real hornets) rather than from underground nests. Another example is the Australian hornet (Abispa ephippium), which is actually a species of potter wasp. Hornets are found mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. The common European hornet (V. crabro) is the most famous species, widespread in Europe (but is never found north of the 63rd parallel), Ukraine and the European part of Russia (with the exception of the extreme northern regions). To the east, the species range extends from the Urals to Western Siberia (located in the vicinity of Khanty-Mansiysk). In Asia, the common European hornet is found in the southern part of Siberia, as well as in eastern China.

Download Murder Hornet PNG images transparent gallery.