European hornet identification (Vespa crabro)


Insect identifier · Ants, bees, and wasps

How to identify a European hornet

Vespa crabro
· Also called giant hornet, brown hornet, vespa crabro

European hornet identification photo

People searching “what does a european hornet look like” or “european hornet bite” want a field ID, not a scare. European hornet (Vespa crabro) is a ants bees wasps in this guide. Also called giant hornet, brown hornet, vespa crabro.

A huge brown wasp at the porch light in August is usually a European hornet, not a murder hornet.

What does a european hornet look like?

European hornet is Large, 18–25 mm. Colors people notice: brown, yellow, red. Field marks: Brown and yellow, not bright yellowjacket yellow; Large head, true hornet; Often at porch lights after dark.

European hornet is Large, 18–25 mm. Colors people notice: brown, yellow, red. Field marks: Brown and yellow, not bright yellowjacket yellow; Large head, true hornet; Often at porch lights after dark. If the marks fail, open the look-alike pages before forcing this name.

Identification marks

  • Brown and yellow, not bright yellowjacket yellow
  • Large head, true hornet
  • Often at porch lights after dark

Size: Large, 18–25 mm
Colors: brown, yellow, red
Where: both

What a typical european hornet bite looks like

Typical european hornet bite or sting
A typical pattern. Reactions vary. This is a guide photo, not a diagnosis.

A single painful sting. Not a swarm of ankle pustules. Leave the area Ice the sting

A single painful sting. Not a swarm of ankle pustules. Fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing needs a clinician.

If you were bitten

  1. Leave the area
  2. Ice the sting
  3. Emergency care for allergy, many stings, or a sting in the mouth

European hornet vs Bald-faced hornet

European hornet is brown-yellow and large. Bald-faced hornet is black and white. Yellowjackets are smaller and brighter.

Range and season

European hornet is active late summer nights, attracted to lights. Typical places: woods, eaves, yard. The only true hornet established in eastern North America. Larger and browner than a yellowjacket. Not the northern giant hornet.

Tree cavities, wall voids, and attics in the East.

The only true hornet established in eastern North America. Larger and browner than a yellowjacket. Not the northern giant hornet.

Late summer nights, attracted to lights

Common questions

European hornet vs murder hornet?

European hornet (Vespa crabro) is the brown hornet of the East. Northern giant hornet is a different, much rarer species.

Do European hornets fly at night?

Yes. They are often the large wasp at a porch light.

Related identification pages