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Are these Asian Hornets? #867861

Asked May 10, 2024, 11:06 AM EDT

These mean looking wasps? Hornets? Are new to my farm this spring. They are almost twice the size of the yellow jackets we normally see. I think they make paper nests. I’m frightened by how many are filling my traps around my orchard & berries.

Lane County Oregon

Expert Response

I am still awaiting your assessment. 

Lori 
Sent from my iPhone

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YOUR QUESTION #0137782:

Are these Asian Hornets?

These mean looking wasps? Hornets? Are new to my farm this spring. They are almost twice the size of the yellow jackets we normally see. I think they make paper nests. I’m frightened by how many are filling my traps around my orchard & berries.

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The Question Asker Replied May 15, 2024, 10:18 AM EDT
Hi Lori,
No, those are not Asian hornets.
I estimated that the wasps in your trap are about an inch (or slightly less) long (based on your hand for scale) and Asian hornets are 1.5-2 inches long (so, considerably larger). Also, from what I can see the patterns on the thorax and abdomen of the wasps you are catching, the pattern is different than you would find on Asian hornets. The heads of your wasps and those of the Asian hornet also look different.
Here are some links where you can find more information on Asian hornets if you are interested...
https://agriculture.mo.gov/plants/pests/asian-giant-hornet.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_giant_hornet

From what I can see of the wasps in your traps, it looks like those are a species called the prairie yellowjacket, Vespula atropilosa. This species is a ground nester, mostly placing their nests in old rodent burrows. Here is a Wikipedia page with more information about prairie yellowjackets...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespula_atropilosa

If you want to confirm the species ID of your wasps, you could kill some of them by freezing and then send them to us at the OSU Plant Clinic. Here are instructions for submitting a sample if you would like to do that....
https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/how-submit-insect-and-spider-materials
Bill Gerth Replied May 15, 2024, 12:01 PM EDT

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