We’re not going to deny that hornets can be serious pests, especially when they chase us with their aggressive behaviour. However, nature has its own checks and balances, so you’ve just got to accept the fact that they play their part in the world, managing ecosystems in their own annoying way. In fact, a perfect metaphor for this is how there are so many other creatures that eat hornets, showing that this stinger isn’t immune to the dangers of nature. To shed more light on this interesting part of nature, here is a list of animals that prey on hornets.
Dragonflies
It might be hard to believe, considering how harmless they seem, but dragonflies are nimble aerial hunters with the ability to catch bugs, including hornets, mid-flight. Amazingly, their sharp eyesight allows them to lock onto fast-moving prey, while their agility ensures a successful strike. When a dragonfly’s powerful jaws get to work, they can crush even the toughest exoskeleton, often including the hornet’s wings.
Praying Mantises
If you know anything about praying mantises, it shouldn’t be too surprising to learn that they can kill hornets. This fascinating insect is a master ambush predator with lightning-fast reflexes and can be really quite violent at times. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t shy away from taking on hornets, using its spiked forelegs to pin the insect in place. Once caught, a mantis methodically devours its prey, avoiding the stinger and ensuring a safe meal.
Spiders
Certain spiders, like orb-weavers, trap hornets in their elaborate webs with ease. Once ensnared, the hornet’s aggressive struggles only serve to entangle it further. The spider then cautiously approaches, injecting venom to subdue its prey before consuming it. It might all sound rather brutal, but these web-building predators are nature’s skilled architects, so we should thank them for controlling hornet populations, as well as countless other pests.
Frogs
The iconic sticky tongue of a frog makes easy work of a horney, using this hunting mechanism, along with its sharp reflexes, to snap up any annoying buzzers that wander too close. Impressively, they often rely on their camouflage to remain unseen until the perfect moment. Sure, hornets may not be their preferred diet, but frogs are adaptable hunters, so they won’t pass up an easy opportunity–even if it involves eating a hornet.
Bats
Bats are nocturnal hunters who can pick off all kinds of insects throughout the evening, having quite the taste of an occasional hornet–at least before the sun fully goes down. Using echolocation to locate and track prey, bats swoop in and snatch hornets out of the air, which involves some seriously sharp reflexes. Furthermore, their ability to hunt in complete darkness gives them an edge over these typically daylight-active insects.
Lizards
Another animal that preys on hornets is the lizard, a reptile that is quick on its feet and sharp-eyed, making it adept at catching all kinds of insects that land nearby. They strike with pin-point accuracy, often targeting the hornet’s thorax to avoid the stinger. In fact, lizards are particularly drawn to areas where hornets gather, such as around sugary spills or flowering plants.
Ants
Ants are relentless when it comes to raiding hornet nests; they swarm the area, targeting larvae and pupae as a valuable food source. Some species even team up to overpower adult hornets, showcasing their famous cooperation. Ultimately, these organised attacks can decimate a nest within hours, so give ants some love because, without them, the world would probably be infested with hornets.
Woodpeckers
Contrary to popular belief, woodpeckers are not just after tree sap; they’ll also chip away at hornet nests to access the nutritious larvae within. Made possible by their strong beaks and determined nature, they’re a formidable threat to hornet colonies. More still, woodpeckers are known to revisit nests multiple times, ensuring no hornet larvae go to waste.
Honey Buzzards
You might assume that they’re only interested in honey, but in reality, honey buzzards specialise in targeting wasp and hornet nests. Their tough skin and feathers protect them from stings as they dig into nests to feed on larvae, making them one of the few natural enemies hornets truly fear, given their efficiency at dismantling entire colonies.
Blackbirds
It’s hard to believe that the common blackbirds eat hornets, but on occasion, it will be quite happy to get stuck in. Yes, their primary diet leans heavily toward worms and fruit, but hornets are not off the menu. Admittedly, predation is likely incidental rather than deliberate hunting behaviour, but a hornet certainly wouldn’t want to get too close to these birds.
Crows
As you’ll have likely witnessed, crows are intelligent and opportunistic birds that will be happy to eat most insects that come too close to them. In general, they’d prefer to eat other insects, but they may scavenge or interact with hornets occasionally. They’re not exactly their biggest predators, though.
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets may occasionally engage in territorial disputes with hornets, but this is more about competition than predation. It almost feels cannibalistic, considering how similar these creatures are, so they rarely hunt hornets for food. Regardless, aggressive interactions do happen, but this isn’t usually actively predatory.
Humans
Finishing things up with a bit of a plot twist, humans are a surprisingly big threat to hornet populations. Sure, we don’t eat them, as we doubt they’d taste very nice, but we do sometimes devise ways to control hornet populations. Furthermore, hornet control measures and traps are commonplace, as are people who attempt to swat them. Be careful attempting this yourself, though, because the hornet won’t be afraid to give you a nasty sting in return.
Up Next: Surprising Predators in Your Garden – 16 British Animals to Watch Out For
In many ways, our gardens can feel like peaceful retreats, but don’t forget that it’s also a hunting ground for some of Britain’s stealthiest predators. It can be really rewarding to learn more about these ecosystems, so here is a list of surprising predators in your garden to keep an eye out for:
Surprising Predators in Your Garden – 16 British Animals to Watch Out For
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