Oriental Hornet Vespa orientalis
(c) S.R., some rights reserved (CC BY)
OrderAnts, Bees, Wasps, and Sawflies (Hymenoptera)
FamilyHornets, Paper Wasps, Potter Wasps, and Allies (Vespidae)
GenusHornets (Vespa)
This underground architect has a bonkers superpower: its yellow stripe contains cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electrical energyβessentially solar-powered mining equipment for digging subterranean colonies. It communicates with nestmates using sound vibrations and hunts aggressively. A major threat to honeybees, it raids colonies for honey and protein, and its sting is notoriously painful with severe allergic reactions in some humans.
Think you can identify this one in the wild?
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