Vespa simillima
| Yellow hornet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Genus: | Vespa |
| Species: | V. simillima |
| Binomial name | |
| Vespa simillima Smith, 1868 | |
| Synonyms | |
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The yellow hornet (Vespa simillima), including the subspecies known as the Japanese hornet or Japanese yellow hornet (Vespa simillima xanthoptera) (キイロスズメバチ), is a common hornet species in the Eastern Hemisphere. It should not be confused with the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), whose subspecies V. m. japonica is sometimes referred to as the Japanese giant hornet.
Predators
Along with other insects in Japan, they are prey to the Japanese giant hornet. Since this predator is prey to the much bigger hornet, its nests have been known to be deserted after giant hornet attacks. The yellow hornet only attacks when their chance comes as they outnumber their giant enemy, which attacks alone.
Danger
Although the Japanese yellow hornet is much smaller than the Japanese giant hornet, this hornet can be more dangerous to humans because they will attack people in greater numbers.