The Japanese Giant Hornet
Meet the buzzworthy Japanese Giant Hornet, arguably one of the most fearsome insects on the planet! These terror titans can reach a length of up to 2 inches, brandishing a quarter-inch stinger packed with powerful venom. They're primarily brown with vibrant orange heads, black eyes, and two pairs of wings. They make their homes in subterranean nests, and they're known to go to extreme lengths to protect their queen and her young.
| Japanese Giant Hornet | |
|---|---|
| Size | Up to 2 inches (5.1 cm) |
| Weight | Up to 2.8 grams (0.1 oz) |
| Speed | Speed: 25 mph (40 km/hr) |
| Key Strength | Powerful mandibles and venomous sting |
| Biggest Weakness | Vulnerable to pesticides and smoke |
| Scientific Name | Vespa mandarinia japonica |
| Family | Vespidae |
| Habitat | Forests |
| Geography | Japan, Korea, and other parts of East Asia |
| Diet | Insects, including honeybees |
| Lifespan | 2 weeks - 1 month |
The Japanese Giant Hornet
Meet the buzzworthy Japanese Giant Hornet, arguably one of the most fearsome insects on the planet! These terror titans can reach a length of up to 2 inches, brandishing a quarter-inch stinger packed with powerful venom. They're primarily brown with vibrant orange heads, black eyes, and two pairs of wings. They make their homes in subterranean nests, and they're known to go to extreme lengths to protect their queen and her young.
Fun Fact: The Japanese Giant Hornet's sting is said to feel like a hot nail being driven into your skin, while its venom can dissolve human tissue—ouch!
| Japanese Giant Hornet | |
|---|---|
| Size | Up to 2 inches (5.1 cm) |
| Weight | Up to 2.8 grams (0.1 oz) |
| Speed | Speed: 25 mph (40 km/hr) |
| Key Strength | Powerful mandibles and venomous sting |
| Biggest Weakness | Vulnerable to pesticides and smoke |
| Scientific Name | Vespa mandarinia japonica |
| Family | Vespidae |
| Habitat | Forests |
| Geography | Japan, Korea, and other parts of East Asia |
| Diet | Insects, including honeybees |
| Lifespan | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Japanese Giant Hornet Matchups
We use AI to simulate matchups between the Japanese Giant Hornet and other animals. Our simulation considers size, strength, and natural predatory behaviors to determine the most likely outcome.
Fun Fact: A squadron of just 30 Japanese Giant Hornets can exterminate a colony of 30,000 honey bees in less than four hours!
Fun Fact: These hornets are stealthy hunters, releasing special pheromones to mark their prey—essentially giving their buddies the coordinates for a yummy dinner-to-be.