Page 78 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #10
P. 78
STIRRED BY
HORNETS
The long, hot summer of 2018 has been
fabulous for wasps of all species – especially
for dedicated hornet watchers.
few years ago I was these chestnut-and-gold insects flew by me.
ambling through the They were simply mesmerising.
woodlands of the RSPB’s I felt immensely privileged. For while
Arne reserve in Dorset hornets may be big and somewhat
in pursuit of striped intimidating, they are characteristically
ladybirds. These are a secretive – far more so than the common
A fairly scarce and localised wasps with which we are more familiar (and
species associated with Scots pine, and Arne which made their presence felt during 2018’s
happens to be great for them. Suddenly, long heatwave). Standing just a metre or two
without warning, I came across some much from the Arne hornets, I was captivated by
more imposing insects: I found myself near their beauty – and, yes, their calm.
patrolling European hornets – the largest Hornets are relatively common in mature
species of social wasp native to this country, woods across central and southern England,
or indeed the continent. A steady stream of but also occur in parks and rural gardens.
