| Australian hornet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Subfamily: | Eumeninae |
| Genus: | Abispa |
| Species: | A. ephippium |
| Binomial name | |
| Abispa ephippium (Fabricius, 1775) |
|
The Australian hornet (Abispa ephippium, actually a type of potter wasp or "mason wasp") is a vespid insect native to the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia states of Australia. The Australian hornet is a solitary insect, forming small nests against buildings and other structures. The adult wasp feeds off flower nectar while the larvae are fed caterpillars captured by the adults.