Slow Motion Footage of Hornet Flight

Occurred on August 16, 2019 / Dohr, Germany

Info from Licensor: "Hornets and wasps, always lots of action at the feeding site.

Last summer I also spent time observing, photographing and filming social wasps in my garden in Dohr (in the Eifel region) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. I spent hundreds of hours observing and arranging until the animals got used to me (and I got used to them) and then I managed to take some extraordinary pictures.

Honey bees, wasps, field wasps and hornets gather at a drinking trough filled with water or sugar water and enjoy drinking the energizing liquid. Especially in the fall, when the insect colonies are slowly approaching their annual end and the last workers have already hatched, various species gather here.

European hornets (Vespa crabro) and wasps such as the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) or the German wasp (Vespula germanica) can often be observed at feeding sites such as fruit trees or sugary foods. Hornets, which are larger and stronger, are usually more dominant and quickly gain access to the best feeding sites thanks to their imposing appearance. Wasps, on the other hand, are usually more numerous and rely on speed and flexibility to meet their food requirements.

The flight maneuvers of these insects are fascinatingly precise. Hornets approach with calmer, almost leisurely movements, while wasps appear more nervous and hectic. Both species can hover to inspect food sources or perform quick evasive maneuvers when threatened. Conflicts over food are common: hornets drive away smaller wasps with threatening gestures or body jostling, while wasps occasionally build up pressure through mass or group displays.

Peaceful coexistence can also be observed at generous food sources. Hornets often occupy central areas of a food source, such as the center of an apple, while wasps remain at the edge. Things get exciting when hornets use their position to hunt and prey on smaller wasps - a behavior that emphasizes their role as efficient predators. There are also occasional small conflicts within groups of wasps, in which they communicate by bumping their bodies or raising their front legs.
These scenes are particularly noticeable on late summer days, when colonies are in need of high-energy food to prepare for the approaching fall. They provide a great opportunity to study the complex behavior of these fascinating insects from a safe distance."