Hornet

hornet, (genus Vespa), any of the wasps classified in the genus Vespa. Hornets are large social wasps that tend to be black or brown with yellow or yellowish markings. Due to their size, hornets have a reputation for being more dangerous than other wasp species, though they are not always more aggressive. There are about 20 known species of true hornets, most of them native to Eurasia. One species, the northern giant hornet, or Asian giant hornet (V. mandarinia), which is native to Asia, is the largest known wasp species in the world, and it is considered an invasive species in North America. For a full description of wasps and their natural history, see wasp.