The
oriental hornet (
Vespa orientalis) is a
social insect in the family
Vespidae, found in southern Europe, northeastern Africa, and western Asia. This worker, photographed in Sha'ar Poleg Reserve in Israel, is gathering
nectar from a
sea squill; adults will also feed on
honeydew and fruit. They also capture insects such as grasshoppers, flies and honey bees to provide a diet high in protein for the
colony's brood.
Photograph credit: Gideon Pisanty