Oriental Hornet
Vespa orientalis
- Group
- Hornet
- Size
- 18–35 mm
- Risk
- Moderate danger
- Protection status
- Not protected
- Identifying features
-
- Same size as the European hornet
- Uniformly reddish-brown in colour
- Only the face and a broad band on the abdomen are bright yellow
- Does not occur naturally in Switzerland
- Native to south-eastern Europe and the Mediterranean
The Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) is not native to Switzerland and does not occur here naturally. It is found mainly in south-eastern Europe and around the Mediterranean, and is occasionally mentioned as a species that can be confused with others during identification.
Identifying features
- Size: comparable to the European hornet
- Colour: uniformly reddish-brown, with little contrast
- Markings: only the face and a broad band on the abdomen are bright yellow
- Distribution: not naturally present in Switzerland; native to south-eastern Europe and the Mediterranean
Risk
Moderate: like other hornet species, the Oriental hornet defends its nest when directly threatened. As it does not occur naturally in Switzerland, an encounter here is highly unlikely.
Protection status in Switzerland
The Oriental hornet is not protected by law in Switzerland.
What to do if you find a nest
Should a nest actually be found, we recommend having it identified and assessed by a professional, as confusion with native hornet species is likely.