21 Features The RGS Gazette Issue 12 July 2024 'Is there a more despised creature in British gardens than the hornet?' A survey conducted by YouGov in 2018 revealed wasps as the most hated insect in the UK. Hornets are often viewed as “wasps on steroids”. Unlike bees, which are also members of the same insect family, it would be hard to find a positive portrayal of a hornet (except, perhaps, for Watford FC's mascot, Harry the Hornet). However, despite the stigma, I firmly believe they are not the villains they are made out to be. Firstly, like their more beloved cousins bees, hornets are pivotal pollinators. Hornets play a crucial role in pollinating ivy, a plant vital for providing berries for mammals and birds and serving as a habitat for insects due to its dense evergreen canopy. Hornets also play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of our environment, and yet, they labour in the shadow of bees. Moreover, hornets, being carnivorous unlike bees, prey on various species of caterpillars and flies that can damage plants and crops. Indeed, hornet imposters—like the hornet mimic hoverfly and the hornet moth—offer invaluable service to British gardeners by deterring birds and other predators wary of hornet stings. They serve as silent allies to the British gardener in pest control management. There are 22 species of hornets in the world. The most common to us is the European hornet, Vespa crabro, which goes as far as Siberia. Another prevalent species in recent years is the Asian hornet, which has gained notoriety due to its noticeably bigger size, and responsibility for dozens of deaths in China each year. It has been spotted in France and in our mainland in previous summers. This migration has resulted in numerous sensational 'killer hornet' tabloid headlines, fuelling public fear. Despite the fearsome depictions of hornets, nobody can deny they possess admirable qualities. These remarkable insects can fly for distances of up to 60 miles at speeds of 25 miles per hour. Their impressive endurance is attributed to a jellylike substance produced by hornet larvae, which has even been marketed as a 'miracle product.' In fact, after winning the marathon gold medal at the 2000 Olympics, Japanese runner Naoko Takahashi credited her success to “hornet juice”. "These remarkable insects can fly for distances of up to 60 miles at speeds of 25 miles per hour." Furthermore, hornet nests are miniature architectural masterpieces. The nests are made of chewedup wood that becomes paperlike to allow it to be manipulated. They are constructed in hollow trees, occasionally under shed roofs or in chimney breasts. It might take a while for hornets to receive the same welcome in gardens as bees, but with increased awareness of their benefits, they could – and should – eventually be regarded as friends of gardeners and everyone living in the ecological systems they impact. While their stings are indeed more far more painful than those of ordinary wasps (and bees), hornets are rarely aggressors. Like any animals, they defend themselves or hunt for nourishment, rarely actively seeking conflict with humans. They are the real underdogs and should be scared of us. To conclude, let us cast aside the unwarranted stigma and embrace the hornet for what it truly is: a vital thread in the intricate tapestry of our natural world. Let us recognise the hornet as a friend rather than an enemy, as a guardian of our gardens, and as a vital part of Britain’s natural landscape. Hornets: Breaking The Stigma Freddie Grimmett (Year 10) evaluates whether the insect deserves its reputation A hornet (2024) A hornet pollinating ivy (2018) An Asian hornet, found in Switzerland (2020)
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