HORNET ON BLACKBERRIES

DUNSTABLE, UK. A large believed to be European Hornet (Vesspa crabro) seen browsing a blackberry bush near Dunstable, UK. This hornet is currently nearing what is known as 'silly season' where like their much smaller cousin the wasp, they get drunk on nectar. They will only sting if attackedand have a sting like that of the wasp. Blackberry pickers beware. They are our largest social wasp in the UK differing from wasps in that they are much larger, coloured brown and yellow not black and yellow like the wasp. They will also, unlike the wasp, fly at night, and are attracted to light from windows and streetlights. Only the Queen survives the winter, drones and workers are killed off by the cold. Hornets may attack bees.