Hornets are large social wasps characterized by a brown thorax with yellow- orange or yellow stripes on their abdomen, giving them a distinctive striped appearance different from the black and yellow of common wasps or bees. They have a narrow, pinched waist between the thorax and abdomen and typically measure around 1.5 inches (about 3.5 cm) in length, though some species can reach up to 5.5 cm. Their wings are usually gold-brown in color, and they have six legs, two pairs of wings, and wide heads. Unlike bees, hornets have less hair and a more slender body shape. The bald-faced hornet, often mistaken for a true hornet, is actually related to yellow jackets and is black with white- gray markings
. European hornets, the only true hornet species in the U.S., are brown with yellow-orange stripes and are known for their ability to sting multiple times because their stingers are not barbed. They build large, papery nests often found in tree cavities, roof spaces, or under eaves
. In summary, a hornet looks like a large wasp with a brown and yellow/orange striped body, a slender waist, gold-brown wings, and a relatively smooth (non- furry) texture. They are larger and more elongated than bees and have a more aggressive appearance due to their size and coloration
