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Northern giant hornet identification

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Want a more in depth identification poster? You can view and download the northern giant hornet look alikes guide. 

Northern giant hornet


Northern giant hornets are the world's largest hornet.
  • Usually 1.5 - 2 inches in length
  • Large orange head with prominent eyes
  • Black and orange/yellow striped abdomen
  • Forms large colonies that usually nest in the ground but also nest in tree cavities 



 

Sizing up the northern giant hornet

Below is a to-scale size comparison of the Northern giant hornet and several other insects.

Please note that the European hornet is often confused with the northern giant hornet but is the one species below which is not found in Washington. If you believe you have seen a European hornet in Washington, it should be reported to the WSDA Pest Program's Hornet Team immediately with a photograph or by submitting the specimen. 
asian giant hornet and other insect species
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Download high-res 27x39 PDF [4MB]

Is it a northern giant hornet?

Some local insects have been confused with northern giant hornets. The insects below are NOT northern giant hornets. However, if you aren't sure, please report your sighting, especially if you have photographs. You can also see more side by side photos on our NGH look-alikes page, or search for the hashtag #ThatIsNotANorthernGiantHornet on social media. 

 

Yellow Jacket


Yellow jackets are less than an inch long. They have distinctly yellow faces with a black area near the top of the head. Photo credit: M. Asche

Bald faced hornet


Bald-faced hornets are about an inch long and are mostly black with white stripes and spots. 

Paper wasp


Paper wasps are more slender and smaller overall compared to the Asian giant hornet. They also do not have an orange/yellow head.

Elm sawfly


The elm sawfly can be nearly as large as the northern giant hornet. They have a black face and yellow stripes, but they lack a stinger. Photo credit: Neil Boyle
For more images and comparisons between northern giant hornets and local insects, check out this blog post: Don't squish me! Local insects, Asian giant hornets, and the case of mistaken identities.

northern giant hornet attacks

You may not see northern giant hornets themselves, but you may see the aftermath of a hornet attack. These hornets will leave piles of dead bees, most of them headless, outside their beehive, similar to that shown in the photos below. These photos are courtesy of Washington beekeeper Teddy McFall. (WSDA has not been able to confirm that these are definitely the result of an NGH attack but they are consistent with one.)

     
Get more information about northern giant hornets on our main page, including when and where it was found in Washington State and how to report a suspected hornet sighting.